The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the latest decisions taken by the Argentine authorities indicating that the daily passenger entry quota will be increased in October and that, 14 days after 50% of the country’s population has completed its vaccination schedule, most of the current travel restrictions will be lifted, a fact that is expected to take place in the middle of the month.
On the other hand, November 1 is the date set to allow the entry of all foreigners, regardless of their origin country. Travelers who present a complete vaccination schedule and a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to boarding will no longer have to undergo an antigen test upon entering the Argentine territory, nor will they have to remain in quarantine.
«The Argentine government’s decision to gradually allow the reopening of air transport in the country is good news on several fronts. First, it restores the freedom to travel, which will be especially welcomed by those who were prevented from flying for the past 18 months. In addition, airlines will now be able to plan with greater predictability and regain the connectivity that has been lost during this time. This will be a boost to the rebuilding of the Argentine economy, especially through the contribution of tourism and international business», said Peter Cerda, IATA Regional Vice President for the Americas.
According to the latest estimates from IATA Economics, the reopening of Argentina’s borders to international travelers:
- Will allow airlines to begin restoring the estimated 100 routes (domestic and international) that we lost as a result of the pandemic.
- Begin to generate the $1.779 billion direct contributions to Argentina’s GDP that has been put at risk,
- Support and maintain 21,470 local jobs, and
- Provide a total annual contribution of USD 22.5 billion to Argentina’s GDP.
«This announcement marks a major shift in COVID-19 risk management from general measures at the national level to individual risk assessment. The next challenge is to find a system to not exclude travelers who are not vaccinated and who will still have to comply with quarantine, including minors who in most cases are not even covered by inoculation campaigns in their countries of origin,» Cerdá said.
IATA requests the Chief of Cabinet to articulate the necessary meetings between the Argentine government authorities and the industry to work in coordination on the steps that will allow this reopening. Key priorities to support and maintain a sustained recovery include:
- Elimination of quarantines in their entirety (without affecting unvaccinated minors).
- Acceptance of antigen testing as an alternative to PCR in any instance where testing is required.
