More than a few industry groups, such as Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major U.S. carriers as well as American, Delta, United, and Southwest, are calling on the federal government to pilot a COVID-19 testing program for passengers in orders to restore international traveling.
Based on a report from the Reuters, the chief executives of A4A, Airlines UK, Heathrow Airport and Virgin Atlantic Airways have just contacted government transportation administrators in the U.S. and U.K. are looking to “found passenger testing solutions in air travel.” They believe these solutions “provide the best and most effective frontline defense” when the coronavirus vaccine is not available yet. The group is urging officials to execute a testing trial between New York and London by the end of September.
What they have struggled for and how hard they have tried have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Travel Association, who applauded and stood by the industry’s position.
Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy pointed out the subject and stated that “We have long stood by this idea that testing is the key to both safer travel and reopening the economy. More rapid, efficient testing allows for a broader reopening of the travel economy and will empower the organizations to restore their lost jobs quickly and rehire workers. More importantly, a robust testing program would allow America to welcome back international visitors.” U.S. international travel has dropped down 87 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barnes added later that “the number of increasing COVID-19 testing, alongside the federal framework of relief, protection, and motivation, as well as devotion to healthy travel habits like wearing masks, will help to shorten the recovery time and put America on the path toward an economic restoration.”
The aviation industry has also been putting pressure on governments around the world to reopen borders to incentive them into reopening with these safety protocols.