Simple Flying - Andrew Curran
Airline industry trade group IATA and Airports Council International (ACI International) have called for all remaining COVID restrictions applying to intra-EU and Schengen zone travel to be dropped. This includes ending mask-wearing for travel within or between States where it is no longer required in other indoor environments, ending testing requirements, and the need to present proof of vaccination or complete a passenger locator form (PLF).
The intra-EU and Schengen zone covers 26 countries across Europe. IATA says COVID-19, and specifically, the omicron variant, is now pervasive throughout all of Europe. Some European states have lifted domestic COVID restrictions. IATA and ACI International say as more European countries open up and remove restrictions, it is only logical to remove similar restrictions from air travel.
So far, ten states have removed all restrictions on intra-EU/Schengen zone travel: Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland. But IATA and ACI have seized upon the latest research from OXERA and Edge Health that suggests even if a new variant is discovered and travel restrictions introduced immediately, this only delays the peak of infections by a maximum of only four days.
