The coronavirus pandemic has caused immense trouble to the airline industry in the past few months. It has posed a major threat to both passengers and crew and has forced most of the countries across the globe to impose strict travel restrictions. Until a firm solution to this crisis can be found, is it viable to create a method that allows for a recovery in airline passenger demand?

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Photo: Qantas

The aviation industry is vital to the success of the global economy. It is therefore crucial that a solution is found as soon as possible. One of the biggest obstacles in doing so will be restoring passenger confidence.

Even if we expect suppression of coronavirus spread in the coming weeks, it is apparent that some passengers will show reluctance towards air travel. This trend will be particularly apparent in non-essential travel or tourism-based passengers. Since these passengers account for a majority of total air travel demand, passenger confidence is a necessity for the recovery of the airline industry.

Possible Solutions

Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Airlines, has planned a possible solution to this problem by raising the idea of the creation of 'immunity passports.'. He has said that these modes of travel restrictions will help in gaining a much-needed boost to the safety of passengers and recovery in demand. These passports will be a simple document from an issuing health authority, which ascertains that the passenger is free of coronavirus and any kind of relatable symptoms.

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Ed Bastian has said that no matter what the requirements, Delta Airlines will be at the forefront of implementing them. Photo: Tomás Del Coro via Wikimedia

However, few aviation analysts have said that there might be issues to this method. There might be a few cases in which the traveling passenger is infected yet asymptomatic, posing a threat to all other passengers on board.

There is also the risk that an immune individual will still be able to pass on the virus in what is known as "contact transmission". This is when viral particles emitted from an infected individual land on a surface. Then, another person touches that object, then touches their nose, mouth or eyes.

Robert W. Mann, an aviation analyst, has said that “People will have to carry, essentially, a COVID passport.” which will prove that the passenger is immune to coronavirus. He added that once a vaccine is widely available, an additional requirement of vaccination might also be needed.

Looking ahead

Although these ideas might sound very naive, there are some countries which have proved that a solution like this is very much possible. Chile, for example, has said that it will start issuing an 'immunity passport' to the people who have recovered from coronavirus.

The passports will not only give these people access to air travel but also a normal life without the need to follow government restrictions. Hence, the immune population will be able to return to work and gradually help increase air travel demand. Similarly, Germany had last month discussed a plan to start issuing health certificates. However, many researchers have shown hesitation in this because of the possible implications behind such a system.

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Chile's aviation industry might be able to demonstrate the success of 'COVID passports.' Photo: LATAM

It is quite uncertain if 'COVID passports' will be a reality or not. Even if they are, only time will tell how successful the method is. Since the safety of passengers is of utmost priority, airlines will be looking for more possible solutions in the coming days.

Are you in support of the idea of 'Immunity passports'? Let us know in the comments.