IATA: It is 'imperative' for Middle Eastern Govts to implement alternatives to quarantine

IATA urged (02-Jul-2020) Middle Eastern governments to consider alternatives to quarantine of arrivals into the Middle East, in order to allow for the economy to restart while avoiding the spread of COVID-19. IATA regional VP for Africa and the Middle East Muhammad Albakri noted: "The region is effectively in complete lockdown with the travel and tourism sector shuttered". IATA proposed a layered approach to opening up aviation while protecting public health, which includes health screening by governments through health declaration forms, implementation of ICAO Take-Off guidelines and contact tracing to isolate travellers who may become symptomatic and infectious after arrival. IATA also released the following findings on the impact of COVID-19 on Middle Eastern aviation:

• Egypt: -13.79 million passengers, -USD2.3 billion in airline revenue and 297,000 employees;
• Saudi Arabia: -36.41 million passengers, -USD7.4 billion airline revenue and 299,200 employees;
• Morocco: -11.58 million passengers, -USD1.8 billion airline revenue and 534,200 employees;
• UAE: -32.33 million, -USD7.1 billion and 392,900 employees;
• Lebanon: -4.93 million passengers, -USD1 billion airline revenue and 132,880 employees;
• Kuwait: -7.17 million passengers, -USD1.4 billion airline revenue and 33,100 employees;
• Oman: -4.42 million passengers, -USD0.7 billion airline revenue and 53,400 employees;
• Tunisia: 4.55 million passengers, -USD0.6 billion airline revenue and 98,700 employees;
• Qatar: -4.95 million passengers, -USD1.7 billion airline revenue and 72,700 employees;
• Algeria: -6.16 million employees, -USD0.8 billion airline revenue and 180,600 employees;
• Iran: -9.11 million passengers, -USD1.9 billion airline revenue and 216,700 employees;
• Bahrain: -2.87 million passengers, -USD0.5 billion airline revenue and 13,100 employees;
• Iraq: -4.15 million passengers and -USD0.9 billion airline revenue. [more - original PR]