As EU countries review the updated European Commission proposal to coordinate the easing of travel restrictions across Europe, Airlines For Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) have together launched Destination Summer.
The goal is to work with European Union and national policymakers adopting a harmonised approach for the lifting of travel restrictions, enabling the safe and smooth resumption of free movement for European citizens.
“Freedom of movement is a core European principle and citizens need to be able to move both freely and safely,” said Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe (A4E).
“After 15 months of lockdowns and travel restrictions, it’s time to reunite travellers in Europe. We need to see a coordinated easing of restrictions.
“Our campaign urges policy-makers to recognise the speedy, positive impact of vaccinations and scientific knowledge gained the last year for EU countries to better coordinate and restore free movement for citizens”.
“There is huge pent-up demand to travel again and we do not want to reopen for summer, only to be in lockdown again,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General at Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE).
“Travelling responsibly means staying safe and healthy so that Europe will have a better chance of a quicker and longer-term recovery. By respecting safety measures, together we can make the summer of 21 one to remember for all the right reasons”.
“According to a recent survey by IATA, 76% of people want to travel to see family and friends as soon as possible,” said Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“We have the means—with testing and vaccinations—to safely reconnect people and restart the travel and tourism sector in time for summer. We just need the will and coordination by governments to make it happen”.
“Together we can make the reopening of travel and tourism in Europe this summer a reality,” said Julie Lassaigne, Secretary General at the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC).
“This is a key strategy to ensure the health and wellbeing of citizens and the vitality of the whole European travel and tourism value chain in the long term”.
