The CEO of a flagship Middle Eastern airline has said the requirement for Covid-19 vaccinations will likely be a trend in air travel, as the industry attempts to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “In the short term, yes, I think that the vaccine passport will be helpful to give confidence both to governments and to the passengers in our industry to start travelling again,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said Tuesday. When asked whether vaccinations will become a “necessity” in order to fly, Al Baker said: “I think this will be the trend initially, because the world needs to open people need to have confidence in the air travel.” “I think this will be a trend that will happen until such a time that people are certain that there is a proper cure, or proper treatment for this very serious pandemic we are facing today,” he added. The idea of vaccination passports has been floated by many governments and industries, with proponents saying it would make travel safer. Critics, however, argue it could worsen inequality and access for people from countries that are further behind in their inoculation campaigns. Asked who should run the vaccination passport process, the CEO said, “In my view, it should be led by IATA ... I have full confidence that IATA will get into grips with the issues in front of the industry.” The conversation with Al Baker took place in conjunction with the launch of Qatar Airways’ first fully Covid-19 vaccinated flight, on an A350-1000.<br/>
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Top Boeing customer Qatar Airways on Tuesday expressed interest in a potential new freighter from the planemaker, while urging engine maker GE to invest in future technology as pressure builds on airlines to reduce emissions. Plans for a freighter 777X have been delayed as Boeing wrestles with certification delays and weak demand for its passenger version. Qatar Airways CE Akbar al-Baker told an online event the Gulf carrier would "definitely be interested to look into" a freighter 777X, though said he had not been notified by Boeing about plans to launch it. Qatar Airways would need to start replacing older 777 jets by the time Boeing or rival Airbus launch any new aircraft programmes, he said. Airbus is also gauging airline interest in a freighter version of its A350 passenger jet, which if launched would target a market key to Boeing, Reuters reported in March.<br/>
Qatar Airways CE Akbar al-Baker said Tuesday he agreed with industry forecasts that passenger demand for air travel would not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. “We need to get borders safely reopened so people will fly again and with airlines expected to bleed cash at least until the fourth quarter of 2021 there is no time to lose,” he said.<br/>