ICAO Council approves six new Covid-19 recommendations to restart air travel

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council has approved six new Covid-19 recommendations to help restart air transport amid the pandemic.

Both the new and amended guidelines are issued by the ICAO Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART).

Recommendations include temporary liberalisation of cargo flights, potential prioritised vaccinations of air crew, and increased cooperation among governments to implement CART recommendations and guidance.

Key updates or new guidance includes testing certificates, Covid-19 risk management such as vaccination and its interdependencies, and dangerous goods guidelines for carrying cargo on passenger aircraft.

ICAO Council president Salvatore Sciacchitano said: “Following the emergence of new virus variants, the vaccine rollouts, and other innovations to battle Covid-19, the work of CART has targeted specific issues related to testing and vaccination of passengers as part of a state’s multilayer risk management strategy with the ultimate objective of restoring public confidence in air travel and getting passengers to fly again.

“After the 70% decrease in air traffic, international air transport can now see the light at the end of the tunnel thanks also to these new recommendations and guidelines.”

Additionally, the ICAO Council upholds the WHO’s position, which specifies that proof of Covid-19 vaccination should not be made a condition for international travel.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the approval for the recommendation.

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said: “This is a major piece of work by states and aviation stakeholders under the leadership of ICAO and with the full support of the industry. Restarting and maintaining operations to deliver economically and socially vital connectivity can only happen if all parties work together.”