More than “185,000 passenger flights have been cancelled since the end of January in response to government travel restrictions. With this, vital cargo capacity has disappeared when it is most urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19. The world’s fleet of freighter aircraft has been mobilized to make up this capacity shortfall. Governments must take urgent measures to ensure that vital supply lines remain open, efficient and effective,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
IATA believes governments must see air cargo as an essential part of the fight against COVID-19 and exclude air cargo operations from any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, to ensure life-saving medical products can be transported without disruption; ensure that standardised measures are in place so that air cargo can continue to move around the world with minimal disruptions; exempt air cargo crew members, who do not interact with the public, from 14-day quarantine requirements; support temporary traffic rights for cargo operations where restrictions may apply; and, remove economic impediments, such as overfly charges, parking fees, and slot restrictions to support air cargo operations during these unprecedented times.
