Today the European Commission released its guidelines to help Member States gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourism and aviation businesses to reopen. On behalf of the Airline Catering Association (ACA) and the Airport Services Association (ASA), Fabio Gamba, the Managing Director of ACA and Director General of ASA, supports the message that the commission is sending to safely resume travel and reboot Europe’s tourism industry in 2020 and beyond – once the virus has passed and in a coordinated manner.

ACA and ASA affirm that the Commission is right to call for Europe to start moving again. Member States now need to move forward and kick-start travel and tourism to reawaken Europe’s economy. If air traffic does not restart very soon, it may not restart at all, because the companies that provide all the essential services to airlines are bleeding dry. Without us, no plane can take off.

Airport services and airline catering companies are among the hardest hit by this crisis. These are the people who handle your baggage, board your plane and prepare the food for your trip. The safety of passengers and employees remains paramount and will always comes first. We have put effective measures in place to protect the health and safety of travellers and our people. Aviation is and remains the safest way to travel. ACA and ASA welcome the current guidelines and hope to see more affirmative action being taken in the coming weeks.

About ACA
ACA (Airline Catering Association) is a not-for-profit international association. Its aim is to provide a forum for the promotion of cooperation among the operators in the airline catering industry and to support the activities of its Members in their contribution to human, economic and social development globally and regionally.

About ASA
ASA is the internationally recognised trade association for the independent ground and air cargo handling industry. It represents the men and women that are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of billions of travellers worldwide. They collaborate with affiliate associations to advance the sector’s interests and influence decision-makers on issues that are relevant to their industry.

Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb