Chennai: Many countries including India might have embarked on ambitious vaccination drives to curb coronavirus infections but the airline industry is still waiting for global guidelines on overseas travel for individuals vaccinated against Covid. An official of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) saidI that regulations and restrictions to travel are determined by governments but expressed hope that governments will consider relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated persons. A global airlines grouping IATA has nearly 290 members including Air India IndiGo Vistara and SpiceJet. While air traffic is picking up in different parts of the world regulations on travel are decided by respective governments of countries and there are expectations that the World Health Organisation (WHO) might come out with global guidance that will help air travel of vaccinated passengers. Currently countries have different rules for international passengers including that they need to carry Covid-negative certificates and quarantine themselves for a specific period. In mid-January the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) had written to the Indian government urging it to come out with guidelines for travellers both domestic and international who have been vaccinated against Covid. The grouping which has more than 2500 Indian companies that are actively involved in tourism as members is awaiting directions from the government on requisite travel protocols. TAAI president Jyoti Mayal said that it is awaiting directions from the government on travel protocols for people who have been vaccinated against Covid. “Different countries and authorities have a different set of rules. At present there is no clarity regarding the travel of vaccinated people to and from India” she said. IATA Regional Director for Airports and External Relations (Asia Pacific) Vinoop Goel said regulations and restrictions related to travel are determined by governments adding that it hopes that the governments will consider relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated persons.

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