Qantas chief executive officer (CEO) Alan Joyce has announced that international air travelers need to receive vaccination against Covid-19 before flying.
According to the Qantas boss, the vaccination of passengers prior to flying would be "a necessity" when vaccines are available. Joyce said: "I think that's going to be a common thing talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe."
In an interview with Nine Network, Joyce mentioned that the airline is examining ways of changing its terms and conditions for international travelers amid the struggles of the industry.
He said: "We will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft... for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country we think that's a necessity."
Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine development
At the early onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Australia closed its international borders and implemented quarantine protocols for those returning to the country. In order to bring the number of cases close to zero, the government used lockdowns, widespread testing and aggressive contact tracing.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in September that a coronavirus vaccine is expected to be available in January 2021.
Morrison mentioned the deal signed by the government with CSL for the manufacturing of two vaccines: one produced by rival AstraZeneca and Oxford University and another developed in CSL’s own labs with the University of Queensland.
"Australia needs some hope," Morrison said. "Today, we take another significant step to protect the health of Australians against the coronavirus pandemic."
Health Minister Greg Hunt noted that the scientists in charge of developing both vaccines have revealed that recent evidence shows both will offer "multi-year protection."
Moreover, Morrison said CSL will provide 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is at the late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, in January and February next year.
Results have shown that the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford only has 70% effectiveness.
While 70% effectiveness against Covid-19 is a good result for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, it may be seen as a disappointment compared with the 95% protection offered by vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
If approved by regulators, the vaccine will still have an important part in battling the current pandemic. Furthermore, data suggests that if the dosage would be perfected, it could increase its effectiveness to about 90%.
United Airlines free Covid-19 test
In the US, United Airlines has started giving free Covid-19 tests for passengers of select routes in a move to boost traffic and initiate international cooperation.
According to the carrier, it has began giving passengers free Covid-19 tests on select routes not only to increase traffic on transatlantic flights but also to spark global unity to break down travel restrictions.
Aaron McMillan, managing director of operations policy and support at United, said: "We firmly believe that testing is a key component of a multi-layered approach to safely opening travel across the globe."
"The pilot program will guarantee that essentially everyone on board just tested negative for Covid-19," McMillan added.
According to the airline, it will run the program for four weeks beginning November 16 on United Flight 14, which takes off from Newark Liberty International Airport to London Heathrow three times weekly.
