According to a recent survey by the Boston Consulting Group, the majority of people believe that globally, the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us and we are slowly but surely approaching a post-Corona normality. In China, flight traffic has already returned to 50 percent of the volume seen in the same period in 2019, and the numbers are rising. When consumers are asked which activity they miss most due to the coronavirus, the most common answer is vacation travel—across all countries, age groups, and income levels. More than 60 percent agree with the statement “I can’t wait to travel again.”
So how will our vacations work in the future?
Together with the WHO (World Health Organization) and IATA (International Air Transport Association), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has developed guidelines for protective measures during air travel. These proposals, which represent the biggest changes since the security rules introduced after 9/11, are not mandatory. The appeal is directed at governments and authorities, airport operators, and airlines to implement globally consistent rules for virus protection. Recommended measures include:
Twice temperature checks
Passengers should present medical proof of health upon arrival at the airport and have their temperature checked. A second check should occur upon arrival at the destination airport. The use of electronic rather than printed tickets is strongly recommended, as is the use of contactless technologies such as facial and iris recognition. Physical contact should be minimized as much as possible during security checks at airports. We should expect longer processing times at airports.
Mandatory masks?
Wearing face masks inside terminals and airplanes should be required, according to the ICAO document. Lufthansa implemented this rule for flights starting June 8, 2020, with exceptions for children under six and individuals who cannot wear masks due to health conditions or disabilities. Masks may be temporarily removed for eating and drinking on board, communicating with hearing-impaired individuals, identification purposes, or other necessary activities incompatible with wearing a mask. The organization recommends maintaining a one-meter distance between passengers on board, but does not explicitly advocate for keeping every second seat empty. Airlines warn that such a rule would threaten the economic viability of their operations. According to ICAO, passengers should move around the cabin as little as possible. Queuing for the toilets should be avoided. Flight attendants should be equipped with special protective gear such as medical masks, face shields, and gloves.
More safety with an organized trip
If you plan to book an international trip, we recommend using the services of a travel agency or tour operator and opting for a package holiday. This ensures the best possible legal protection, expert advice for all eventualities, and a personal contact person. Additionally, package holidays are protected against the insolvency of the tour operator. For hotel stays in Austria or South Tyrol, you can find competent contacts both directly at the accommodation and in travel agencies to help plan your vacation.
In general, the safety situation of the destination country must be considered at the time of travel: For international trips to countries with a (partial) travel warning (level 5 or 6) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of departure, there is no insurance coverage. See up-to-date information on the Our current