IATA’s poll: growing confidence in return to air travel

GENEVA — New survey results released today by IATA suggest 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, according to IATA.

IATA’S poll surveyed recent travellers, so respondents may be more open to loosening travel restrictions than the general public.

That said, the results underline the need to get travel restarted while balancing health and safety protocols.

Here’s a look at the highlights …

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 travel restrictions have gone too far

While there is public support for travel restrictions, it is becoming clear that people are feeling more comfortable with managing the risks of COVID-19, says IATA. Nearly 40% of respondents in the survey of recent travellers reported mental stress and missing an important human moment as a result of travel restrictions.

“The top priority of everybody at the moment is staying safe amid the COVID-19 crisis. But it is important that we map a way to being able to re-open borders, manage risks and enable people to get on with their lives. That includes the freedom to travel. It is becoming clear that we will need to learn to live and travel in a world that has COVID-19. Given the health, social and economic costs of travel restrictions, airlines should be ready to re-connect the world as soon as governments are able to re-open borders. That’s why a plan with measurable milestones is so critical. Without one, how can we be prepared for restart without an unnecessary delay?” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

FUTURE TRAVEL TRENDS

57% expect to be traveling within two months of the pandemic being contained (improved from 49% in September 2020)
72% want to travel to see family and friends as soon as possible (improved from 63% in September 2020)
81% believe that they will be more likely to travel once they are vaccinated
84% said they will not travel if there is a chance of quarantine at destination (largely unchanged from 83% in September 2020)
56% believe that they will postpone travel until the economy stabilizes (improved from 65% in September 2020)

About 84% of travellers will not travel if it involves quarantine at destination, notes IATA. And there are still indications that the pick-up in business travel will take time with 62% of respondents saying they are likely to travel less for business even after the virus is contained. That is, however, a significant improvement from the 72% recorded in September 2020.

“People want to get back to travel, but quarantine is the showstopper. As testing capacity and technology improves and the vaccinated population grows, the conditions for removing quarantine measures are being created. And this points us again towards working with governments for a well-planned re-opening as soon as conditions allow,” said de Juniac.

IATA TRAVEL PASS

89% of respondents believe that governments need to standardize vaccine and testing certificates
80% are encouraged by the prospect of the IATA Travel Pass App and would use it as soon as available
78% will only use a travel credential app if they have full control over their data

Survey respondents also sent a clear message on the importance of data security, says IATA. Some 78% of travellers will not use an app if they are not in full control of their data. And about 60% will not use a travel credential app if data is stored centrally.

“We are designing IATA Travel Pass with the traveler in mind. Passengers keep all the data on their mobile devices, and they remain in full control of where that data goes. There is no central database. While we are making good progress with numerous trials, we are still awaiting the global standards for digital testing and vaccine certificates. Only with global standards and governments accepting them can we maximize efficiency and deliver an optimum travel experience,” said de Juniac.

IATA’s Travel Pass will launch with its first airline partner, Singapore Airlines, next week.