By Edward Robertson
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has urged EU institutions, member states, Switzerland and the UK to collaborate closely in allowing the safe reopening of air travel.
With an EU summit starting tomorrow, March 25, with the aim of discussing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trade body is urging all parties to work together to protect the sector and the jobs that depend on it.
The EBAA has also proposed guidelines including a real coordination of travel restrictions; rapid testing; vaccination as a facilitator rather than a condition to travel; the elimination of restrictions for business aviation crews and consideration of priority vaccinations for those operating medical and emergency flights to assist in the reopening.
EBAA secretary-general Athar Husain Khan said: “The business aviation sector has been operating emergency and medical flights, safely, throughout the crisis to help those where it was needed most.
“Together with our proposed guidelines and the sector’s ability to adapt and offer highly tailored operations, I see no reason for us not to operate.”
He added business aviation will be on the frontline of the post-crisis recovery, while additional safety measures developed and implemented due to the Covid-19 crisis means it is ready to deal with any new issues safely.
