It seems that the airline industry is in a "new normal", there is not going to be a sudden disappearance of the pandemic, and that we can no longer view the situation as a temporary aberration. It is therefore necessary to establish a new context to allow the Southern African industry the best opportunities to rebuild and flourish.

We call on those responsible to:

1. Give full impetus to implementing a standard vaccination passport as per ICAO and IATA guidelines which can contribute to the opening up of international travel restrictions into, and out of, Southern Africa;

2. Urgently re-constitute the International Air Services Licencing Council, so as to facilitate the flow of regional and international air traffic and eliminate any forms of protectionism;

3. Completely remove airport slot restrictions, and the regulations thereto associated, until traffic levels meet the required levels for re-imposition as per international standards;

4. Give all possible assistance to destination marketing bodies in both public and private sectors.

Gary Webb

Aviation Advisory Board