09/06/2021 18:58
Clarín.com
Politics
Updated 09/06/2021 19:55
The international airlines issued a harsh document in which they
questioned the restrictions
imposed by Argentina, which they described as
"draconian"
and demanded that
the passenger caps be eliminated
.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) considered that, despite the latest flexibilities, "Argentina continues to take
slow steps
towards a reopening and still
lacks a clear vision
for passengers and airlines."
“We do not know what scientific criteria the government has relied on so far to determine the daily passenger quotas.
But the increasing number of vaccinated travelers, the good sanitary conditions that have allowed a progressive lack of refinement and the prevalence of tests and biosafety measures allow restoring the air operation
without having to put caps
", said Peter Cerdá, Regional Vice President of IATA for the Americas.
Cerdá highlighted that countries that adopted a coordinated "risk-based approach to border control management" recovered routes.
"While in Argentina,
the draconian measures
adopted so far are impacting the country's connectivity with the world, showing
a reduction in its pairs of cities
from June to July 2021
from 107 to 89,
" he explained.
The statement of the entity coincided with the announcement of the Government that formalized the digital credential of My Argentina as a vaccination certificate against covid-19 for Argentines who travel abroad.
In addition, in what appears to be a signal towards foreign tourism, the Ministry of Health requested that the countries send their credential models to verify the documentation of the people who wish to enter the country.
In the statement released today by IATA, the association once again made a "
call to the Argentine government to work with the industry
to develop a clear and defined resumption and reopening plan, with specific deadlines, that allow reconnecting the country in a safe and catalyze the benefits generated by an active and competitive aviation in the social and economic development of its inhabitants ".
Despite the request, from IATA they claim to have "full understanding that, above all, the government has wanted to protect the health of citizens."
However, he says, they believe that "all the conditions are in place to
move towards a new normal
, with the conviction that it is necessary and above all possible, to reactivate the economy, tourism, and jobs, safely" , follow.
"And at the same time to achieve the reunion of people in a context in which we must
learn to live with COVID-19 and its variants
, we do not know for how long," defines the text.
According to Cerdá, "it is time to stimulate confidence through a clear plan that allows both operators and users the predictability necessary to program themselves and thus generate
a sustained reactivation of aviation for the benefit of all Argentines
."
The owner said that for this reason it is necessary to review
the efficiency of the processes and the waiting time
in the health controls upon arrival in the country, mainly in Ezeiza, which must be "standardized, fast and effective to avoid unnecessary crowds at airports. ", said.
"
People need to make use of an essential air transport service again
, without obstacles or measures that exceed what is really necessary to preserve safety," he said.
And finally they noted: "As we enter the summer season, we need commercial aviation to be viable again for all Argentines. The country has to compete, have reasonable prices and provide the expected services. Otherwise, it will continue to be in check the viability of the operation and the country's air connectivity ”.