Aviation is a global connector, playing a key role in social and economic development, that can be harnessed to spur global recovery from the pandemic. Resurgent travel and tourism would reinvigorate the global recovery effort.

It will take time for COVID-19 to abate and for a successful vaccine to be widely available. The industry must learn to adapt and reassure travellers that harmonised and sensible measures based on evidence have been adopted. A realistic path to gradually reopening borders could start with pairs of cities where the risk level is similarly low and the risk response equally robust, as recommended by the WHO.

Strong multilateral collaboration among governments to relax travel restrictions and quarantine requirements based on risk assessment and medical evidence, will be key to the restart and recovery of the aviation industry. Mutually recognised and harmonised measures such as comprehensive pre-departure testing protocols, are actively being pursued as a way forward in reopening borders without onerous travel restrictions.

The Asia Pacific aviation industry continues to partner governments in efforts to harmonise cross border measures and rebuild confidence in air travel.

At the same time the industry is sharpening its aviation and health safety response capability further, as well as its focus on established decarbonisation goals, in order to strengthen its resilience and adaptability for the future.