Only 44 cases of COVID-19 in the world, of almost 36 million reported, have been directly related to infections inside airplanes in flight, defends a study presented this Thursday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), reported EFE.
See also: SkyTeam’s member airlines support reliable COVID-19 rapid testing to restore air travel.
This would show the low incidence of transmissions, taking into account that since the beginning of the year, despite the paralysis of the sector in the months of confinement, 1,200 million people have flown, stressed in a statement the organization, which groups almost 300 global airlines.
See also: Rome Fiumicino Airport the first airport in the world to receive COVID-19 5-Star Airport Rating.
“We admit that it may be a low estimate, but even assuming that 90 percent of the cases were not reported, it would be one case for every 2.7 million passengers,” said the medical advisor to IATA, David Powell.
The expert added that most of the infections occurred before the widespread use of masks, recommended by IATA since June and mandatory on many airlines.
The study has been accompanied by simulations conducted by experts from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer that also concluded a very limited airflow in the passenger cabins in the devices, which reduces the potential spread of a virus in them.
“Added to the use of masks, which gives extra protection, it makes sitting in the cabin of an aircraft, close to others, safer than many other closed environments,” concludes IATA.
The airlines have been pressing in recent weeks for quarantines, which have led much of the population to give up flying in the coming months, to be replaced as soon as possible by rapid tests of COVID at airports, prior to take-offs, to reduce the many losses in the sector.
Related Topics
Volotea Lands in Vitoria: New Direct Routes to Madrid and Barcelona Starting in November
Portugal Relaunches TAP Privatization: Government to Sell 49.9% of the Airline
Air Europa Expands Entertainment Offerings to Entire Boeing 737 Fleet via Its App
Iberia Launches Recruitment for New Pilots
Líder en noticias de aviación