IATA principles for industry restart

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a commitment by the airline CEOs on its Board of Governors to five principles for reconnecting the world by air transport.

The five principles announced by IATA encompass safety and security, science and technology, economic recovery, environment targets and global standards. “Restarting air transport is important. Even as the pandemic continues, the foundations for an industry restart are being laid through close collaboration of the air transport industry with ICAO, the WHO, individual governments, and other parties. Much work, however, remains to be done. By committing to these principles, the leaders of the world’s airlines will guide the safe, responsible, and sustainable restart of our vital economic sector. Flying is our business. And it is everyone’s shared freedom,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO, IATA.

The principles outlined by IATA are as follows:

1. Aviation will always put safety and security first: Airlines commit to work with our partners in government institutions and across the industry to:

• Implement a science-based biosecurity regime that will keep our passengers and crew safe while enabling efficient operations.
• Ensure that aviation is not a meaningful source for the spread of communicable diseases, including
  COVID-19.

2. Aviation will respond flexibly as the crisis and science evolve. Airlines will work with all partners to:

• Utilise new science and technology as it becomes available, for example, reliable, scalable and efficient solutions for COVID-19 testing or immunity passports.
• Develop a predictable and effective approach to managing any future border closures or mobility restrictions.
• Ensure that measures are scientifically supported, economically sustainable, operationally viable, continuously reviewed, and removed/replaced when no longer necessary.

3. Aviation will be a key driver of the economic recovery. Airlines will work with all partners to:

• Re-establish capacity that can meet the demands of the economic recovery as quickly as possible.
• Ensure that affordable air transport will be available in the post-pandemic period.

4. Aviation will meet its environment targets. Airlines will work with all partners to:

• Achieve our long-term goal of cutting net carbon emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2050.
• Successfully implement the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

5. Aviation will operate to global standards which are harmonised and mutually recognised by governments: Airlines commit to work with our partners in governments, institutions and across the industry to:

• Establish the global standards necessary for an effective restart of aviation, particularly drawing on strong partnerships with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Ensure that agreed measures are effectively implemented and mutually recognised by governments.