EBAA has also proposed guidelines including a real coordination of travel restrictions; rapid testing; vaccination as a facilitator rather than a condition to travel; the elimination of restrictions for business aviation crews and consideration of priority vaccinations for those operating medical and emergency flights to assist in the reopening.
Association secretary-general Athar Husain Khan said: “The business aviation sector has been operating emergency and medical flights, safely, throughout the crisis to help those where it was needed most.
“Together with our proposed guidelines and the sector’s ability to adapt and offer highly tailored operations, I see no reason for us not to operate.”
He added business aviation will be on the frontline of the post-crisis recovery, while additional safety measures developed and implemented due to the Covid-19 crisis means it is ready to deal with any new issues safely.
Nor did the pressure stop there either. EBAA also used its AGM held last week (March 26) top release its yearbook showcasing the value of business aviation and the vital role it can play in Europe’s economic recovery.
In particular, the yearbook focuses on the sector’s levels of job creating, currently 294,650 direct and indirect jobs, while also highlighting the €62.7 billion in economic output the sector generates.
The 2,986 business aircraft based in Europe have also proved to be a vital link in connecting destinations that suffer from poor scheduled services while also allowing for urgent travel which can be vital as the continent looks set to battle a third wave of Covid-19 infections.
Khan added: “The past year has been a case study of the unique and important role of Business aviation in Europe’s air transport system. The industry’s on-demand services were critical in enabling high-priority travel to take place safely, such as for governmental and scientific personnel involved in the Covid-19 response.”
While Covid-19 might be rightly dominating headlines across Europe, its impact has overshadowed an older geopolitical event on the continent – Brexit. However, a report in the newly released Spring 2021 edition of EVA Executive & VIP Aviation International shows, the pandemic might be hogging the headlines, but the problems created by Brexit are just as real.
This is not to say all is lost in the UK, a separate feature details how London Biggin Hill Airport is coping with the challenges thrown up by both events.
Away from Europe, the US-based West Star Aviation shares its plans for 2021 and beyond with EVA while an interview with members of the newly formed Air Charter Safety Alliance shows how they are trying to crack down on illegal charters.
To read all about these topics and more, turn to the latest edition of EVA Executive & VIP Aviation International.