Aviation experts think the world should roll out standardized biosecurity systems and measures so travel restrictions can ease.
The aviation sector should respond to the coronavirus crisis in a similar way to how it reacted to the 9/11 attacks and come up with a uniform biosecurity system that can be rolled out quickly across the globe.
That is according to a panel of aviation experts. Currently, each country has a different set of regulations dictating what kind of health and hygiene measures are implemented by airports and airlines to curb the spread of Covid-19. The result, the panel believes, is a disjointed, confusing and cumbersome set of systems which is damaging demand for air travel.
Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of Bauer Aviation Advisory, said that the industry needs to work with governments and health organisations to create a standardised structure that can implement “a proper testing system”.
“We should look more into how we have solved things in the past,” Bauer said. “For example, when 9/11 happened, every country was basically doing their own security thing and it was a challenge for airlines, airports and customers. It was the same challenge in terms of communication.
“Standardisation of the process came about over time. 9/11 was a security crisis we dealt with and now we have a medical crisis. That ought to mean we have a shortcut when it comes to the communication. The entire aviation industry needs to put competition to one side because we need to be giving out the same message; we need a multi-channel campaign.”
According to Bauer, standardisation won’t happen overnight and will require aviation industry stakeholders to work with technology providers and governments to come up with suitable and affordable biosecurity solutions.
He said the industry must take a step-by-step approach, similar to how it did in the wake of 9/11, with the EU coming to an agreement with the US to make hassle-free and safe air travel possible again, for example.
Laila Hareb Almheiri, CEO of Alive Group, said that countries are not currently focused on collaborating because they are preoccupied with managing the Covid-19 pandemic internally.
She said that it falls on ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) to lead on the standardisation process but noted that the organisation is facing budget constraints because governments are redirecting funds to other areas to fight the pandemic.
“I think the main global players in ICAO should look again at their priorities,” she said.
Bernie Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey said: “Manufacturers and airlines can talk about this all day long and it sounds like an advertisement. Governments and international organisations need to talk about it and create a consistent policy, just like the world did after 9/11, and create a systematic way of boarding an aircraft.
“We need the same consistency as we had after 9/11 and that’s going to have to come from governments, regulators and international organisations.”
About Guide2Uganda
Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on Uganda and surrounding towns, attractions, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda as well as being a dynamic news and comprehensive events driven site with content being added daily. According to WeFollow & Peer Index (whom both measure online influence) we are among the most influential online media organizations in Uganda. We were also awarded for ‘’Best Destination Website in Uganda’’ by Jumia Travel Uganda in the 2017-2018 Africa Travel Awards. If you are planning a visit to Uganda you can always reach us on; info@guide2uganda.ug
