The guidance presented in the TOGD and the Manual (Doc 10152) is under constant revision
as new scientific evidence becomes available. ICAO continues to closely monitor the scientific and
technological developments, in particular those related to vaccination and their impact on travel by air. In
this regard, ICAO has been working with other international organizations, especially the WHO, to align
efforts and is ready to incorporate each new development in its guidance.
As the vaccination is being rolled out globally, increasing number of passengers will be
vaccinated in the near future. This will result in a growing uncertainty with different epidemiological
realities from one State to another. It is intended that further iterations of the CART guidance will give
consideration to the following near- and long-term issues:
- In planning a national risk management strategy which aims at reducing the need for
public health risk mitigation measures and reactivating economic activities, the
aviation sector will require particular attention. Such overall strategy should involve
an orderly and phased removal of COVID-related restrictions on travel, developed in
close coordination with relevant authorities based on proportionate evidence-based
risk assessments, and taking into account the benefits that the recovery of aviation can
have for the society and economy. The guidance contained in the TOGD and the
Manual provides the building blocks needed to address and define the civil aviation
component of the national risk management strategy.
- In time, the pandemic will recede; however, its profound impact has already reshaped
economies and society, propelling the aviation industry towards re-thinking their
businesses. Growing attention is being brought, for example, to personal health-related
aspects throughout the travel processes. Cleanliness and sanitation may be at the
forefront for air travelers, from check-in through security to boarding their flight.
While moves towards more seamless travel processes were already underway prior to
the pandemic, the on-going shift to digitalization can accelerate this transformation to
a speedy, healthier and safer contactless travel experience.
- Beyond addressing issues arising from the current crisis, States and industry need to
use the lessons learned to improve crisis preparedness, enhance economic and
environmental sustainability, and enable smarter operations. Building a more resilient
international civil aviation system will require intra- and cross-sectoral cooperation
and alignment while accounting for the sovereignty and authority of States and their
varying capacities to meet operational, technological and regulatory requirements.
ICAO will convene a High-Level Conference on COVID-19 (HLCC 2021) in October 2021.
Aiming at creating a path to post COVID-19 recovery, the Conference will consider short- and long-term
implications engendered by the crisis, proposals for States to use in tackling safety, operational and
economic challenges, and streamlined policy responses to post-pandemic state of aviation. It will also
provide an opportunity to share experiences among States and industry, and strengthen and demonstrate
multilateral cooperation, States’ individual and collective engagements, as well as efforts and political
commitments to building sustainable, resilient aviation.
