On Thursday, at the invitation of State Secretary Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), a round table on the current COVID-19 situation in aviation took place in the Ministry of Transport. A national charter was signed. All domestic companies in the industry should adhere to these.

“The virus will be with us for a long time - the crisis is not over yet. Against this background, we are united by the common goal of getting people from A to B healthy and safe. The signing of the national COVID-19 charter for aviation is an essential step in this direction. The recommendations for action, which combine European guidelines and national regulations, give both the companies themselves and the passengers orientation on their travels, "said State Secretary Magnus Brunner after today's round table on safe flying against the background of the corona pandemic and continues: "Of course, the following always applies to all trips: Please take your common sense with you!" The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the aviation industry worldwide with incomparable challenges. Flight movements fell by well over 90 percent. It will probably be years before aviation can recover to pre-crisis levels. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has worked with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to develop guidelines on health measures in aviation. These formed the basis for discussion for today's round table - the representatives of the airlines, airports and business aviation have committed themselves to the national charter for the aviation industry. This provides for the implementation of the EASA recommendations in coordination with the national health authorities and taking into account the respective operational environment. In addition, a deepening of the cooperation between companies and authorities as well as a regular exchange of best practice examples and the ongoing evaluation of the measures taken are part of the charter. The airlines and airports have also committed to providing passengers with comprehensive information on the applicable health protection guidelines.

Against the background of increasing passenger numbers, but also the existing uncertainty regarding freedom of travel and health protection, the simplification of processes, e.g. for contact tracing on board and the development of sustainable digital models, was also discussed with the stakeholders concerned. 

“Air traffic is an international industry, so coordinated action at European level is necessary and desirable, and that is also our goal. Today we jointly laid a national foundation stone in order to strengthen the confidence of passengers in aviation again. Today's event was a prelude to further discussions on important issues in aviation, ”concluded Brunner.