Passengers increasingly irritated with Covid-19 restrictions: IATA

An IATA survey has revealed significant frustration with Covid-19 travel restrictions, and that air travellers believe the freedom of travel should be restored. The survey covered 4,700 respondents in 11 markets during September, and followed a similar survey in June. The updated survey shows that 67% of respondents feel that country borders should be open now, a full 12 percentage points higher than in June. Moreover, 64% felt border closers are unnecessary and are not effective containing coronavirus, up 11 percentage points in June. “People are increasingly frustrated with the COVID-19 travel restrictions and even more have seen their quality of life suffer as a result,” says IATA DG Willie Walsh. “They don’t see the necessity of travel restrictions to control the virus. And they have missed too many family moments, personal development opportunities and business priorities. In short, they miss the freedom of flying and want it restored. The message they are sending to governments is: Covid-19 is not going to disappear, so we must establish a way to manage its risks while living and traveling normally.”<br/>