Willie Walsh, Director General

“Istanbul Airport is taking the lead in how every airport must reposition itself not only in the eyes of local communities and the workforce

but also within the industry” Firat Emsen, CTO, Istanbul Airport

Nevertheless, as mentioned, sustainability includes so much more than cutting CO2 through new technologies.

At Istanbul Airport, transparency in dealings with the public and inclusion policies are also a vital part of the sustainability strategy. The airport is eager to create value for its local communities, for example. Aside from making them aware of the airport’s plans, it has a deliberate policy in place to emphasize job opportunities for local applicants. This is being extended into attracting future generations through generous training schemes and by furthering the reach into the nearby rural areas. This ensures that economic benefi ts are also optimized by making local communities part of sustainable development.

Meanwhile, diversity and inclusion continue to be promoted. Clearly, for aviation to continue to grow and to refl ect the passengers it serves, it must welcome a diverse workforce and especially attract female workers. The skills and insights these underrepresented sections of the workforce off er must not be ignored.

“Istanbul Airport is taking the lead in how every airport must reposition itself not only in the eyes of local communities and the workforce but also within the industry,” says Emsen. “Airports are critical to sustainable success because if things aren’t right on the ground, aircraft can never take to the skies. “Social and environmental responsibility is a lifelong commitment,” he concludes. “Sustainability plans are always in development. However, certainly you should never limit them to just carbon emission reduction nor should you forget that maximizing economic opportunities is an essential component. Istanbul Airport is leading the way in achieving these aims.”

For more informationon Istanbul Airport, visit https://bit.ly/3zOW2QH

Road to recovery remains complex

This week we had a brutal reminder

that the road to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis will be complicated.

In response to the discovery of the Omicrom variant, many governments slammed the door shut on connectivity with South Africa, where the variant was fi rst reported. This will not encourage other states to be as open with their scientifi c data. And public health offi cials from the WHO and others have reminded us that restricting travel may put a costly speedbump in the path of the virus, but it will not contain its spread.

Travel restrictions do not work. But there are measures we can take.

As individuals, proven personal hygiene measures like hand washing, social distancing and mask-wearing are things we all must do.

IATA is responsibly trying to re-enable global connectivity. In November we published a Blueprint to help guide governments in safely re-opening their borders with data-driven decisionmaking. This includes a consistent set of health protocols and screening measures to facilitate travel while protecting public health.

Two years into this crisis we know so much more about the virus, yet governments have retained little what we have learned about how to live with it. A panicked Pavlovian reaction of closing borders and implementing quarantines demonstrates this. And this is made all the worse without specifi c commitment to review these knee-jerk reactions within a specifi c time frame.

What should governments do in the face of Omicron? More eff ective contact tracing and much broader vaccine distribution.

The appalling disparity that exists in vaccination rates between the developed and developing worlds cannot be ignored. Less than 10% of the African continent is fully vaccinated, while developed nations cajole their populations to take boosters. Planeloads of vaccines will do far more to tame this virus than travel restrictions can ever achieve.

Willie Walsh IATA Director General

“It is irresponsible that Amsterdam Schiphol is increasing airport charges by 37% in the middle of a crisis. It is insulting that the airport is positioning a token 5% reduction in their demands (originally 42%) as a response to the needs of their customers. And it is nonsense that they are justifying the increase to encourage a more sustainable aviation sector.”

On the UK’s changes to air passenger duty.

“Placing an even larger APD fi nancial barrier between the UK and the world makes a mockery of the Global Britain ambition by dealing yet another blow to the UK’s competitiveness.”

On IATA Travel Pass Implementation.

“After extensive testing, it’s great to see the IATA Travel Pass entering regular operations.”

On the need for global connectivity.

“The airline industry, 88 million livelihoods, 3.5% of global GDP and billions of travelers are counting on governments to deliver on the risk-managed reopening of international travel to which they have committed.”

As we enter the festive period, the world is yet again reminded that only aviation can provide the global connectivity that brings together friends and family at such an important time. Moreover, from 2050 the industry is committed to providing such benefi ts without adding