US airports will struggle to apply Covid-19 safety measures consistently due to the resistance of many air passengers, a leading aviation analyst has warned.
Centre for Aviation (CAPA) senior analyst for the Americas Lori Ranson said confusion and inconsistency over Covid health measures in the US would make a rebound “very tough” despite many US states relaxing restrictions.
Speaking on a CAPA webcast, Ranson said: “There are different attitudes to social distancing and wearing masks [in the US].
“I’m not sure the airport experience here is going to be universal for the foreseeable future because of differing passenger attitudes.
“It is probably much easier to enforce wearing a mask on an aircraft than at an airport. How do you enforce it if there is a difference of opinion?”
Ranson said: “Personally, I don’t want to travel unless I have to, not because I don’t trust what airlines are doing, but because from the airport perspective it is so much tougher to coordinate and to control consumer behaviour.”
Airline association Iata and other aviation bodies have pushed for international coordination on health measures to ensure safety and consistency for passengers and crew.
But Ranson said: “International travel is going to be very tough to rebound until there is global coordination in terms of what passengers can expect when they reach their destination.”
She added: “In the US, there is a possibility of a second wave and a debate about whether we properly clamped down on the first.
“Social distancing is sort of hit and miss, as is wearing masks. There is a lot yet to be determined here.”
Ranson noted: “States are opening and that is driving a bit of demand for July. Las Vegas casinos are opening this month. Disney is opening next month.”
“The ultra-low-cost carriers are going to about 80% capacity for July. Southwest Airlines is at about 65%, American Airlines at 55% and Delta Air Lines and United somewhere in the 30% range.”
But she said: “Revenues are still at rock bottom.
“Carriers are trying a lot of low fares to simulate passengers. It remains to be seen how many actually book. There is not a lot of visibility beyond July.”