Due to what has been going on in the world and the non-deniable fact that this deadly virus which has cost many lives, transportation has become a serious issue. People need to move. People need to travel if not on vacation then at least for business. Giving that researches performed by IATA (The International Air Transport Association), the likelihood of getting infected by the virus while being on an airplane is extremely low.
The International Air Transport Association found that since the start of 2020, only 44 cases of coronavirus were the direct result of a flight journey. These statistics are for confirmed, probable, and potential cases.
The 44 cases are an infinitesimal amount in the whole 1.2 billion passengers who have traveled over the first nine months of 2020.
Dr. David Powell, IATA’s Medical Advisor, mentioned in a statement that they have recognized that the statistics could be underestimated but even if 90 percent of the cases were un-reported, still it is one case for every 2.7 million passengers. IATA thinks the figures are extremely encouraging. Besides, the majority of published confirmed cases happened before the wearing of face coverings inflight.
Not to mention that methodologies beg to differ slightly, simulations proved that the aircraft airflow system does control the movement of particles in the cabin and so it limits the spread of the virus.
Although there is no way to confirm an exact tally for the possible flight-associated cases, The International Air Transport Association’s accessibility to airlines and public health authorities and considering the systematic review of available literature has not generated any sign that onboard transmission is in any way common or widespread. The Freedman/Wilder-Smith study shows that mask-wearing and face coverage is extremely essential to reduce the risk of getting infected in the future.
