ICAO Introduces Plan to Restart Aviation Industry

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought the aviation industry to lows not seen for many years. To help the industry recover, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), alongside many other industry associations, introduces a series of guidelines to get the industry flying again.

Measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 led millions across the world to stay home and self-isolate, which caused numerous flight cancellation and grounded fleets across the globe. Later on, restrictions on non-essential activities led the world to a widespread recession, landing a second blow to the aviation industry. ICAO estimates that 1.5 billion people less would travel during 2020. This drop in travel is expected to cost the aviation industry, including airlines, airports, service providers, suppliers and many others, up to US$314 billion. The crisis has already costed the world some of its major airlines, with the two largest airlines in Latin America declaring bankruptcy last month. Mexican airlines are in line to lose US$5.3 billion, according to CANAERO, putting 534,000 jobs at risk.

To address the overwhelming challenge the industry is facing, international industry associations led by ICAO have joined forces to develop a recovery plan. The document, named “Takeoff: Guidance for Air Travel Through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis,” was drafted by ICAO with the support from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Council International (ACI) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), among others. “We have answered this call today with the delivery of this report and with its recommendations and Take-Off guidelines which will now align public and private sector actions and mitigations as we get the world flying again, in full accordance with the latest and most prudent medical and traveler health advice available to us,” said Salvatore Sciacchitano, Council President of ICAO.

“Takeoff” provides a framework to minimize exposure risks for both travelers and crews, while gradually allowing the industry to restart operations and eventually transition to high-volume and international travel. The document introduces recommendations for airports, airlines, crews and air cargo to build up travelers’ trust and allow for the safe and efficient increase of passengers, while protecting them from COVID-19. “Restoring public confidence in air travel has very broad benefits. This is not only about the operational and economic viability of the air transport sector, but of entire societies and regions having their economic livelihoods and stability restored,” said Fang Liu, Secretary General of ICAO. These measures, warns the document, should be implemented in a layered manner, undergo constant revisions and be modified, replaced or removed as necessary in accordance to the evolution of the outbreak and local guidelines regarding it.