IATA Reacts to US Ban on Travellers from Europe

IATA and its members continue to support governments in their efforts to contain the spread of COVID19. At this time of extreme pressure on the industry, IATA urged governments to:

- Prepare for the broad economic consequences of these actions,
- Respond quickly to the financial frailty of airlines, and
- Follow WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations.

These calls come in response to the US government’s banning of non-US citizens, and individuals who are not legal permanent residents of the US, who have been in the Schengen Area in the past 14 days from entry into the United States.

“These are extraordinary times and governments are taking unprecedented measures. Safety - including public health - is always a top priority. Airlines are complying with these requirements. Governments must also recognize that airlines - employing some 2.7 million people - are under extreme financial and operational pressures. They need support,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

When taking such measures, IATA urged governments to prepare for the adverse economic impact that they will cause. The dimensions of the US-Europe market are enormous.

In 2019, there was a total of around 200,000 flights scheduled between the United States and the Schengen Area, equivalent to around 550 flights per day. There were around 46 million passengers (roughly equivalent to 125,000 travelers every day).

While the US measure recognizes the need to continue to facilitate trans-Atlantic trade, the economic fallout of this will be broad.

“Governments must impose the measures they consider necessary to contain the virus. And they must be fully prepared to provide support to buffer the economic dislocation that this will cause. In normal times, air transport is a catalyst for economic growth and development. Suspending travel on such a broad scale will create negative consequences across the economy. Governments must recognize this and be ready to support,” said de Juniac.

Airlines are already struggling with the severe impact that the COVID19 crisis has had on their business. On 5 March 2020, IATA estimated that the crisis could wipe out some $113 billion of revenue. That scenario did not include such severe measures as the US and other governments (including Israel, Kuwait, and Spain) have since put in place.

The US measures will add to this financial pressure. The total value of the US-Schengen market in 2019 was $20.6 billion. The markets facing the heaviest impact are US-Germany ($4 billion), US-France ($3.5 billion) and US-Italy ($2.9 billion).

“This will create enormous cash-flow pressures for airlines. We have already seen Flybe go under. And this latest blow could push others in the same direction,” added de Juniac. “Airlines will need emergency measures to get through this crisis. Governments should be looking at all possible means to assist the industry through these extreme circumstances. Extending lines of credit, reducing infrastructure costs, lightening the tax burden are all measures that governments will need to explore. Air transport is vital, but without a lifeline from governments we will have a sectoral financial crisis piled on top of the public health emergency.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing outbreaks, though on Wednesday Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, DG of the WHO, did state that countries with no confirmed COVID19 cases at all, of which there were 81 at the time, should "do everything they can to make sure that the virus does not step foot in their country".

According to the WHO's latest COVID19 update, published at 10am CET on 12 March, there were 125,048 confirmed cases (6,729 new within past 24 hours) and 4,613 deaths (321 new within past 24 hours) globally. In China 80,981 confirmed (26 new) and 3,173 deaths (11 new). Outside of China there were 44,067 confirmed (6,703 new) and 1,440 deaths (310 new).

“We urge the US and other governments that have placed travel restrictions to follow the WHO guidance. This is fast evolving. Health and safety are the top priorities for governments and the air transport sector. But the effectiveness and necessity of travel restrictions must be continuously reviewed,” said de Juniac.

COVID19: US Bans ALL Travel from Europe

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