Could vaccine passports aid air transport recovery?

The idea of vaccine passports to prove inoculation against COVID-19 is gaining momentum worldwide, sparking conversations around their potential to revitalize the struggling air transport industry. CNBC Africa recently spoke with Brian Pearce, the Chief Economist at the International Air Travel Association (IATA), to delve into the potential impact of COVID passports on the aviation sector. Pearce highlighted the critical need for digitalized proof of vaccination or negative test results to streamline the passenger journey through airports and avoid overwhelming queues that could paralyze airport operations. He emphasized that this digital evidence is essential for automating verification processes and ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience. The CEO of Dubai airports echoed this sentiment, underscoring the necessity of COVID passports as the foundation for the safe resumption of mass foreign travel. As the discussion unfolded, concerns were raised about potential inequalities exacerbated by the reliance on digital documentation. With only 2% of global vaccine doses administered in Africa, there is a pressing need to consider equitable access to travel requirements. Pearce acknowledged these challenges but highlighted the IATA's advocacy for facilitating travel with negative COVID test results to accommodate the slower vaccine rollout in Africa. The conversation also touched on the issue of document fraud, with Pearce emphasizing the IATA Travel Pass as a solution to combat fraudulent activities by providing validated proof of vaccination or negative test results from approved laboratories. Amidst the growing interest in vaccine passports, the need for standardization was emphasized to ensure seamless international travel. Pearce noted the importance of establishing international standards while allowing flexibility for national governments to integrate the IATA Travel Pass components into their systems. Shifting focus to the current landscape of air travel, the conversation turned to the impact of COVID variants and lockdowns on the industry. Pearce expressed optimism regarding pent-up demand for travel, particularly evident in domestic markets within Africa. While domestic travel has shown a 50% increase from previous levels, international travel continues to face restrictions, hindering a full recovery. The slow pace of vaccination rollout in Africa and disruptions in vaccine supply chains pose additional challenges to international travel. Pearce underscored the importance of implementing effective testing regimes to facilitate international travel within the continent. Addressing the high costs of intra-Africa travel, Pearce highlighted the barriers posed by expensive air travel within the region. He called for collaborative efforts from governments and industry stakeholders to streamline operations, reduce regulatory costs, and enhance efficiency in the air transport supply chain. Pearce emphasized the significance of promoting affordable travel options to stimulate demand and support economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.