IATA to Governments: Do Away with Travel Restrictions

Association representing 290 airlines says COVID-19 is now endemic.

Michael Wildes

Wednesday, February 09, 2022 at 01:19 PM ET

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Some countries are starting to allow international travelers into their countries. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

IATA urges governments worldwide to lift travel restrictions, arguing that COVID-19 is now regionally limited and predictable, and that existing travel barriers have proven ineffective, especially against the Omicron variant.
The organization specifically recommends removing all quarantine and testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers (with WHO-approved vaccines) and allowing quarantine-free travel for unvaccinated individuals who present a negative pre-departure antigen test.
IATA advocates for a shift in approach, treating COVID-19 as an endemic disease, and highlights several countries (like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand) that are already easing or lifting travel bans.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging governments around the world to ease travel restrictions, saying that COVID-19 is now regionally limited and predictable.

IATA represents approximately 290 airlines comprising 83 percent of global air traffic. The organization wants all travel barriers removed (including quarantine and testing) for those fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine, as well as quarantine-free travel for non-vaccinated travelers with a negative pre-departure antigen test result.