European Commission Guidelines: Facilitating Air Cargo Operations during COVID-19 outbreak

Summary:

The European Commission published a set of guidelines on 26 March 2020 aimed at supporting air cargo operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Further information:

The set of guidelines recommends operational and organisational steps to keep essential transport flows moving, including medical supplies and personnel.

The measures include inviting Member States to grant temporary traffic rights for additional cargo operations from outside the EU if restrictions would normally apply, even if these cargo operations are conducted with passenger aircraft. Member States are also advised to temporarily remove night curfews and/or slot restrictions at airports for essential air cargo operations, and to facilitate the use of passenger aircraft for cargo-only operations. Aircrew flying the aircraft should be exempted from travel restrictions if they do not show symptoms.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 26/03/2020: Coronavirus: Commission issues guidance to ensure essential freight keeps moving by air https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_533

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Commentary and Analysis

IATA: Press Release, 26/03/2020: IATA Welcomes EC Efforts to Keep Air Cargo Flowing https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-03-26-03/

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