Technology will play a big role in successfully restarting air travel while restoring confidence in the safety of aviation, according to global industry body the International Air Transport Association .
The sector is crucial for the global economy, facilitating trade and the movement of people. Iata says that in normal times aviation delivers $2.7-trillion in global GDP contribution. Every one of the 25-million employees in the airline industry helps support up to 24 other jobs in the broader global economy, and more than a third of global trade by value moves by air.
Iata said to minimise the time spent at an airport, passengers should complete as much of the check-in process as possible before arriving at the airport. Iata suggests governments should remove regulatory obstacles to enabling such things as mobile or home-printed boarding passes and electronic or home-printed bag tags and personal data capture online.
“Now we are counting on governments to implement the recommendations quickly, because the world wants to travel again and needs airlines to play a big role in the economic recovery. And we must do this with global harmonisation and mutual recognition of efforts to earn the confidence of travellers and air transport workers.”