Due to the interesting content and COCESNA’s participation, we reproduce the news published on Sunday, May 10, 2020.
Source news CP-Cambio Político
“USD$77 billion in GDP is at risk in Latin America and the Caribbean due to air transport disruptions generated by the spread of COVID-19, according to a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). CP/Web”
San Salvador, May 10, 2020 (CPNews) – Approximately $77 billion in GDP is at risk in Latin America and the Caribbean due to air transport disruptions caused by the spread of COVID-19, according to a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is why the Central American Integration System proposed this weekend a plan to reactivate air transport in the region.
One of the sectors most affected by the closing of borders in the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) is the air-commercial transportation sector.
Around 90% of air traffic in Central America has decreased, which puts at risk a high percentage of people who work in aviation, that is, 2.9 million people in Latin America alone, an impact that is also reflected in the entire chain of aviation service providers.
In this context, a meeting between the General Secretariat of SICA, the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services (COCESNA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and representatives of the regional air sector was convened on Friday 8.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the proposal of the “Harmonized Action Plan for the Reactivation of the Air Transport Sector in Central America – COVID-19 Impact” within the framework of the SICA initiative for the establishment of Public Health Corridors and in coordination with national and international organizations linked to civil aviation.
In this regard, the Executive President of COCESNA, Juan Carlos Trabanino Aguirre, said “The prolongation of the crisis demands a higher level of proactivity and rather than waiting for ideal conditions we need to create the minimum conditions that will allow for the gradual, orderly, harmonized and safe reactivation of the air sector in our region.”
“COCESNA, as the specialized aviation organization of SICA, has worked on a basic proposal to determine the moment in which the roadmap can be submitted to the Heads of State and Government of our countries so that after its approval, aviation in Central America can be reactivated with the protocols that guarantee the operational and sanitary safety of the case”.said Trabanino.
The proposal is based on the analysis of the context, the economic impacts on the sector and the contribution of aviation in the region based on the study conducted by IATA and the University of Oxford.
In this context, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas, Peter Cerdá, explained the main repercussions that the airline industry is facing in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
“The big challenge is to restart aviation by protecting health and safety that ensures the industry is not a vector for COVID contagion and to restore public confidence in air travel, biosecurity measures should last only as long as required, following through with the roles and responsibilities of governments, airports and airlines.”
The industry’s goal is to re-establish air connectivity in a consistent, harmonized and internationally accepted manner. Success will depend on collaboration between governments and industries, with a globally adopted roadmap.
The proposal includes five implementation phases, including:
Phase 1. Selective Activation: with the selection of the main airports in each State, for intra-regional operation with restricted schedules.
Phase 2. Moderate Activation: start of operations at additional airports in the region due to intra-regional connectivity needs.
Phase 3. Intermediate Activation: opening of all airports, expanding the frequency range of intra-regional operations.
Phase 4. International Activation: start of operations with countries outside the region in restricted hours.
Phase 5. Standardized Aviation: fully standardized air operations.
In addition, the Plan includes four components: preparation, operational readiness, implementation, and generation of user confidence.
The Secretary General of SICA, Vinicio Cerezo, stated that he agrees with the reactivation process, since the consequences could be incalculable for the region. “SICA represents Central America and the Dominican Republic, we are all aware of the situation we are going to face if there are no mechanisms to be able to return to activities,” he said.