IATA re-iterates urgent need for open borders, testing and financial aid in Europe

IATA issued (21-Oct-2020) a statement reiterating the "urgent need to re-open borders with COVID-19 testing and for further financial support for aviation as the COVID-19 shutdown of air transport continues". According to the association, border restrictions, especially quarantine measures, have undermined the free movement of people, one of the cornerstones of European development. As a result, passenger demand has plummeted and 2020 is expected to see passenger numbers down at least 70% compared to 2019 for travel to/from/within Europe. Only 340 million travellers in Europe are expected to fly in 2020 compared to close to 1.2 billion that flew in 2019. [more - original PR]