Mandatory Vaccination for Airplane Boarding? "Difficult Until Supply is Secured"... Debate in the Aviation Industry

Qantas Airways in Australia Recently Allows Boarding for Vaccinated Passengers
Cold Response from Industry... Concerns Over Impact on Air Travel Demand

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The global aviation industry is engaged in heated debates over the 'mandatory COVID-19 vaccination before boarding airplanes.' While some airlines argue that vaccination should be mandatory for passengers using aircraft to ensure safe flights and prevent the spread of COVID-19, many voices oppose this, saying it would be "even more fatal to air travel demand."

The issue originated from Qantas Airways, Australia's largest airline. According to major foreign media on the 3rd (local time), the airline recently announced a policy to allow only vaccinated passengers to board international flights. Qantas stated, "Once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, vaccination will be mandatory for aircraft passengers," and is exploring ways to amend international flight terms and conditions to enforce this. This is the first time an airline has declared it would refuse boarding to passengers who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

However, the response from the industry has been cold. Since March, air travel demand has drastically decreased due to lockdown measures worldwide, making it difficult to refuse boarding to passengers until vaccines are widely distributed. Due to entry bans in various countries, not only major airlines but also small European carriers are facing financial difficulties. Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (ACI), said, "The industry has come to a halt due to quarantine alone. Mandatory vaccination could have a similar impact," adding, "While the rapid development of vaccines is welcome, it will take considerable time before they are widely distributed, and the aviation industry cannot wait that long."

There are also opinions that quarantine measures are more effective than mandatory vaccination. Alexandre de Juniac, Secretary General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), emphasized, "Systematic testing is more important than vaccination for lifting border closures." Dr. David Friedman, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama, said, "It will take years for the majority of the world's population, especially those in developing countries, to be vaccinated," and added, "Which vaccine to receive should be considered as carefully as the mandate itself."