Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that passenger traffic fell in February 2021, both compared to pre-COVID levels (February 2019) and compared to the immediate month prior (January 2020). Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to February 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern.   Total demand for air travel in February 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 74.7% compared to February 2019. That was worse than the 72.2% decline recorded in January 2021 versus two years ago. International passenger demand in February was 88.7% below February 2019, a further drop from the 85.7% year-to-year decline recorded [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released February 2021 data for global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand continued to outperform pre-COVID levels with demand up 9% over February 2019. February demand also showed strong month-on-month growth over January 2021 levels. Volumes have now returned to 2018 levels seen prior to the US-China trade war. Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons to follow are to February 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was up 9% compared to February 2019 and +1.5% compared to January 2021. All regions except for Latin America saw an [...]

Source: ICAO ICAO joined four other UN agencies today in calling on countries to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for aircrew and seafarers. In addition to ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu, the special Joint Statement was signed by the heads of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Health Organization (WHO). “The implementation of the current WHO recommendations are of primordial importance to the continued and optimal operation of the international civil aviation network, and therefore to the transport worldwide of essential shipments and workers,” Dr. Liu declared. The Joint Statement stresses the WHO’s advice that at the present time countries should not introduce requirements of proof of vaccination [...]

Source: ICAO The ICAO Council concluded the meetings of its 222nd Session today, formalizing important progress on air transport developments relating to ongoing global pandemic response, emissions offsetting, gender equality and remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), among others.   The Council’s contributions to the continuing work to help countries respond and recover from the pandemic on an aligned, effective basis globally, came with its adoption of the latest ‘Phase III’ guidance of its Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), and the decision to convene a ministerial conference on COVID-19 this coming October.   Where sustainability and the environment are concerned, the Council agreed on additional CORSIA eligible emissions units programmes for use in CORSIA and on additional new criteria for the assessment [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council’s approval of the latest recommendations from its Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). Key outputs include: Recommendations for: Temporary liberalization of cargo flights Considering priority vaccination of air crew Increased cooperation among governments to implement CART recommendations and guidance Updated or new guidance for: Testing certificates COVID-19 risk management including vaccination and its interdependencies Dangerous goods guidelines for the carriage of cargo on passenger aircraft used in freighter operations A new mechanism for reporting extended regulatory alleviations   “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. Of course, [...]

Source: ICAO The ICAO Council approved six new COVID-19 recommendations today, and amended two others, as countries continue to address latest information and cooperate to optimize the role of international air transport in global pandemic recovery and ensure the speedy resumption of air travel. The new and amended recommendations and updated guidelines are contained in the High-Level Cover Document and ‘Take-off’ Guidelines issued by the Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), established shortly after the pandemic was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). “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 [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced results from its latest poll of recent travelers, revealing growing confidence in a return to air travel, frustration with current travel restrictions, and acceptance of a travel app to manage health credentials for travel. Travel Restrictions 88% believe that when opening borders, the right balance must be struck between managing COVID-19 risks and getting the economy going again 85% believe that governments should set COVID-19 targets (such as testing capacity or vaccine distribution) to re-open borders 84% believe that COVID-19 will not disappear, and we need to manage its risks while living and traveling normally 68% agreed that their quality of life has suffered with travel restrictions 49% believe that air [...]

Source: ICAO On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD2021), the 36 State ICAO governing Council has adopted concrete commitments in a new Declaration on Improving Gender Representation in ICAO’s Governing and Technical Bodies.   The new commitments include that all future ICAO Council committees, working groups, panels, and other governance or technical bodies, as well as their Chair Groups where applicable and the Council’s own Vice-President cohort, must be comprised of both men and women.   Other commitments included protecting ICAO policies and standards from gender discriminatory language, promoting gender neutral language for its own communications, and working to increase the number of women having access to Council level responsibilities.   The new Declaration also noted that #IWD2021 would [...]

Source: ICAO With the coming into effect this November of its new Global Reporting Format for Runway Surface Conditions (GRF), ICAO has agreed to partner with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) on a new joint GRF training programme.   The new online course has been specifically designed for air traffic controllers and aeronautical information service staff, and will be available for enrolment in April of this year on the ICAO Global Aviation Training website. It complements existing courses developed in cooperation with Airports Council International (ACI) for airport operations staff, and with IATA for flight crews.   “Runway safety continues to remain aviation’s biggest safety challenge, representing more than half of [...]