MSGID: 2:292/854 10271b46   
   IATA is deeply concerned about the sharp increase in incidents involving   
   unruly passengers. Compared to 2019, this is a doubling, reports IATA CEO   
   Willie Walsh. "Unacceptable", says the Irishman. In particular, the mandatory   
   wearing of mouth masks regularly leads to incidents on board.   
       
   In the United States in particular, there has been a huge increase in the   
   number of cases of unacceptable behavior by passengers, in some cases even   
   leading to serious mistreatment of cabin crew.   
       
   The FAA recently reported that of the 3,100 incidents involving unruly   
   passengers so far this year, 2,350 are related to travelers refusing to comply   
   with federal mask regulations.   
       
   The mask requirement may be unpopular, but it can count on the approval of 83   
   percent of travelers. This is the conclusion of a survey by IATA among 4700   
   travelers in eleven countries. An even larger number (86 percent) are in favor   
   of strict enforcement of that measure. At the same time, a majority also   
   believes that the mask obligation should be ended as soon as possible.   
       
   The IATA survey also shows that a majority of travelers have confidence in the   
   hygiene on board. 85 percent of those surveyed believe that aircraft are   
   properly cleaned and disinfected. 65 percent believe the air in airplanes is   
   just as clean as in an operating room.   
       
   Of those who have traveled by air since June 2020, 86 percent said they feel   
   safe on board thanks to corona measures. 89 percent believe that the   
   protective measures are well implemented and 90 percent believe that the staff   
   ensures good compliance with the measures.   
       
   The hassle around corona protocols, paperwork, testing and uncertainty about   
   rules still causes a lot of frustration. A vast majority (89 percent) believe   
   that governments should standardize vaccination and testing certificates.   
       
   These responses should be a wake-up call for governments to better prepare for   
   a reboot, Walsh said. Nearly two-thirds of respondents plan to resume travel   
   within months of the pandemic being controlled (and borders opened). After six   
   months, almost 85 percent expect to travel again.   
       
   To avoid congestion at airports and border control authorities, governments   
   must agree to replace paper-based processes with digital solutions such as the   
   IATA Travel Pass for vaccine and testing documentation.   
      
   --- DB4 - Jul 12 2021   
    * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)   
   SEEN-BY: 1/123 80/1 90/1 105/81 120/340 123/131 129/305 221/1 226/30   
   SEEN-BY: 227/702 229/101 424 426 428 700 1016 240/5832 249/317 400   
   SEEN-BY: 261/38 280/464 282/1038 292/854 8125 301/1 317/3 322/757   
   SEEN-BY: 335/364 342/200 396/45 633/280 801/188   
   PATH: 292/854 229/426