Aviation industry leaders have called for preflight testing for passengers to replace quarantining on arrival as airlines continue to struggle with a massive slump in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Industry lobbying group the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, has predicted the sector is set to lose $87 billion this year, following a surge in infections and renewed travel restrictions.
The IATA forecasts that precrisis air traffic levels may only return in 2024 and expects passenger numbers will still be down by around 30% next year.
The sector welcomed the recent Pfizer vaccine breakthrough that boosted share prices but warned that people will be remain cautious to book flights until they have been immunized, which may be many months away and this will delay the opening up of international travel.