On the second package of proposals for possible state measures to support aviation enterprises

Following the second video conference held as part of the ICAO-IAC project on "Priorities for Activities and Measures to Support Civil Aviation in the Recovery from and after the Pandemic" the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) sent the second package of proposals to the governments of the CIS and EAEU Member States on possible measures of state support for aviation enterprises.  

The conference, held by the Interstate Council on Aviation and Use of Airspace (Interstate Council) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), was attended by representatives of international organizations, including ICAO, WHO, IATA, state sanitary and epidemiological surveillance agencies and healthcare institutions, as well as industry participants (representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines, airports, air navigation companies, service organizations, and the aviation industry). In total, more than 120 specialists from 12 countries participated.

The set of proposals and measures includes the following:

         1. Adoption of appropriate measures within the CIS and EAEU to fully resume air communication between Member States fully and in accordance with the demand for air transportations. This will restore economic and social contacts between people and provide air transport companies and related industries with the significant revenue necessary to support their viability. It appears that resuming such air communication is just as urgent as the already established air communication with countries in other regions of the world.

         The Interstate Council is ready to become the moderator of this work.

         To achieve this, it is necessary to develop and support a number of measures to protect public health in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization:

-      maximum harmonization of the sanitary and epidemiological procedures among the states of the region in terms of air traffic;

-      organization of the passenger flow management at airports in order to maintain the maximum social distance, and on board an aircraft;  

-      restricting passenger movement and using personal protection means to prevent possible cross-contamination;

-      organizing constant informing at airports and on board an aircraft about risks and sanitary and epidemiological measures during the pandemic; 

-      introduction of combined screening (PCR-testing and broadened questioning) of passengers before and after the flight, consideration of the possibility of using the experience of the European countries in the introduction of the Passenger Health Declaration, as well as the procedures for passenger and personnel contacts’ monitoring;

-      active participation in the ICAO-CAPSCA Programme. Participation in this programme will enhance information exchange and colaboration among public health organizations, state civil aviation authorities, ICAO, and the WHO to strengthen public health emergency preparedness in aviation.

         2. Consideration of the possibility of further providing enterprises with financial resources in the form of direct non-repayable subsidies, including compensation for additional costs of sanitary and epidemiological protection measures and maintaining the proficiency level of flight personnel.

         3. Consideration of the possibility of providing property tax benefits to enterprises in the aviation industry for 2020-2021. 

         4. Drawing up and implementation of interstate tourism development programs in the CIS and EAEU Member States, as well as consideration of the possibility of subsidizing them. 

         5. Consideration of the possibility of implementing government support and incentive programs for air cargo transportation, including the transportation of medical equipment, medical supplies, and sanitary and hygienic products. Further development of air cargo transportation could become the industry's primary source of revenue in the conditions of passenger flow reduction.

For their part, the Interstate Council/IAC are planing to hold further video conferences on a systematic basis to monitor the state of civil aviation in the conditions of the ongoing pandemic, discuss and form possible subsequent measures to support the industry.