Page 6 - World Airnews Magazine May Edition 2021

FLAREPATH

A SLIGHT OPENING UP

By Heidi Gibson

remain at the heart of the problem - all of which link
back to the aviation industry and its ability to get
here is a growing expectation that the worst of back on its feet.

Tthe global crisis from a health perspecti ve could Inside is a must-read interview with Grant Back ,
be over soon - apart from India. head of the South African Airways Pilots Association

This is largely due to the effective roll out of vaccine whose members went on strike - the first time in 50
in Europe - and the ray of sunlight on the horizon that years - over a decent pay out. Never mind the fact
this news brings. In the UK we have seen the opening up that they have been locked out for over a year with
of bars and restaurants and travel restrictions lifted in the airline grounded and have had to live without any

other European countries. financial support. A pilot on strike? A few years ago
And so the travel industry is gearing up for some kind that would have been unthinkable.

of summer and - everything else aside - it would be real- Meanwhile the International Air Transport Associa-

ly nice to see a return to normal. The airline industry is tion continues and has announced an agreement with

working hard alongside governments to see how short- Eurofins and Unilabs to incorporate their worldwide

term measures around testing and vaccine certification COVID-19 testing network into the IATA Travel Pass.

can get international travel opened up again. Eurofins is a bio-analytical testing company with 800

It is hoped that all of this vaccination, testing and laboratories across 50 countries including South Africa

quarantines will all be removed once the health situa- and Morocco. We know as long as this pandemic lasts,

tion is fully under control. But it’s hard to see how this coronavirus testing will be required for most interna-

in all going to synch together nicely when every differ- tional travel.

ent country across the global is at a different stage. The IATA Travel Pass app helps travellers to manage

As Willie Walsh, the new director general IATA re- these new processes starting with understanding the

marked “we are really seeing two industries operating requirements to travel and helping them identify labs,

within one” - referring to the differing fortunes of cargo such as Eurofins, which are certified do to the testing.

and passengers operations. Meanwhile on the business aviation sector, things

Africa, of course, is another story with vaccination look like they are improving.

roll outs, started then stopped in NetJets Europe is making its
some countries while in others private jets more accessible with
they have not yet begun. This a pay-as-you-go membership
amid concerns over the available scheme.

jabs - like the Astra Zeneca jab - Carsten Michaelis, marketing
linked to rare blood clots and Zim- director for NetJets Europe, said
babwe and Chad have declined to the idea was driven by increased
use it. demand due to uncertainty around

Resources, access and avail- commercial flights’ future.
ability of these vaccinations Yes that much is true. Q
World Airnews | May 2021
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