European airlines demand end to quarantine ‘chaos’
Airlines for Europe (A4E), the largest EU airline association, on Tuesday urged national capitals to coordinate measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
A4E director Thomas Reynaert criticised the “chaotic border restrictions along with confusion about quarantines, varying passenger locator forms and test requirements”.
A4E said that August saw passenger traffic plateau at around 30% of its level a year ago. It called for a “common approach”, with enabling restrictions by region rather than “blanket national restrictions”. The group also said that passengers should have access to “quick and reliable COVID-19 tests” and quarantines should be downgraded to “an instrument of last resort”.
Greater EU-wide coordination should be made a “political priority. Uncoordinated national measures over the last six months have had a devastating impact on freedom of movement”, Air France-KLM chief and A4E chairman Benjamin Smith said.