Air travellers are “increasingly frustrated” with Covid-19 travel restrictions, according to Iata.
A survey commissioned by the aviation body quizzed 4,700 respondents in 11 markets last month and found that two thirds (67%) felt that most country borders should be opened now, up 12 percentage points from Iata’s June 2021 survey.
Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents felt that border closures are unnecessary and have not been effective in containing the virus – up 11 percentage points from June.
And nearly three quarters (73%) said that their quality of life is suffering as a result of Covid-19 travel restrictions, up six percentage points from the previous survey.
Willie Walsh, Iata’s director general, said: “People are increasingly frustrated with the Covid-19 travel restrictions and even more have seen their quality of life suffer as a result.
“They don’t see the necessity of travel restrictions to control the virus. And they have missed too many family moments, personal development opportunities and business priorities.
“In short, they miss the freedom of flying and want it restored. The message they are sending to governments is: Covid-19 is not going to disappear, so we must establish a way to manage its risks while living and traveling normally.”
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The poll also found that the biggest deterrent to air travel continues to be quarantine measures.
More than eight in 10 (84%) of respondents indicated they will not travel if there is a chance of quarantine at their destination and 80% agree that vaccinated people should be able to travel freely by air.
Three quarters (75%) indicated that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel and 80% believe that governments should bear the cost of testing
Walsh added: “There is a message here for governments. People are willing to be tested to travel. But they don’t like the cost or the inconvenience.
“Both can be addressed by governments. The reliability of rapid antigen tests is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Broader acceptance of antigen testing by governments would reduce inconvenience and cost.
“It is also clear that while people accept testing and other measures such as mask-wearing as necessary, they want to return to more normal ways of travel when it is safe to do so.”
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