A travel expert has explained what the new EU Covid recommendations mean for Ireland’s travel industry as the virus continues to surge in China.
Eoghan Corry told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show that it has a ‘sideways’ effect on Ireland as we have no direct flights to China but that many Irish people are concerned nonetheless.
He spoke after European Union officials announced recommendations for passengers flying from China to the bloc.
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In an update today, they advised that all passengers arriving in EU states should have a negative Covid-19 test before they board.
Member states are "strongly encouraged" to introduce this requirement and to ensure tests are taken not more than 48 hours before departure.
It also recommended that all passengers on flights to and from China wear a medical mask on board the plane.
Eoghan Corry explained: "We used to have four direct flights - there was talk of restoring one for this summer, it didn't happen.
"So really it's a matter that impacts us in a sideways way.
"It's going to impact who's going to implement, the very complicated issue, of boarding someone who doesn't have a PCR test.
"Listeners will need no introduction to what happened over the last two years: it falls back on the airlines".
He said issues will be met by passengers heading to Ireland from China via the hub airports if these changes are implemented.
"There isn't a lot of other traffic at the moment, and the number of flights is about a quarter of what it was pre-Covid," Mr. Corry said.
"People travelling through Paris and Heathrow at the moment will have to already undergo those tests, and Frankfurt will be the major hub airport affected within Europe.
"We're not sure what happens with the three Middle Eastern hubs that a lot of Chinese people used: Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai - and also Istanbul, which is a big hub for Ireland.
"What the aviation industry is waiting for is a little bit of clarification of what's required, what countries are requiring it [and] who really is in charge here.
"All of this will probably become clearer in the next few days.
"It's another headache for the aviation industry, which is not just hugely based in Ireland but a lot of the executives of major airlines worldwide and the director-general of IATA [are Irish].
"A lot of Irish people concerned," he added.
Head of the International Air Transport Association, Willie Walsh, described these recommendations as a 'knee-jerk' reaction.
"Several countries are introducing Covid-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders," he said.
"It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years."
"At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected," Mr Walsh added.
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