The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a strong appeal to the Chilean government to reconsider its current border policies and remove unnecessary restrictions that are hindering the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.
IATA argues that Chile's existing border measures, including mandatory quarantine requirements even for fully vaccinated travelers, are significantly impeding the country's tourism revival and causing unnecessary socioeconomic damage.
Chile's Restrictive Border Policies: A Barrier to Recovery
Since October 1, 2021, Chile has permitted entry and exit for both foreign tourists and citizens. However, even travelers who are fully vaccinated and present negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results still face quarantine requirements. Current regulations mandate five days of home quarantine for those holding a "Mobility Pass" (Pase de Movilidad), while unvaccinated travelers or those without the pass must quarantine for seven days.
IATA contends these quarantine measures create substantial obstacles for Chile's tourism industry, adding costs and inconvenience to travel while diminishing the country's appeal as a destination. Many potential visitors have reportedly abandoned plans to visit Chile due to quarantine concerns, resulting in significant tourism revenue losses.
"When entry still requires quarantine, it cannot be called open. Chile has some of the strictest pandemic measures in the world. Authorities have consistently failed to fully recognize the enormous socioeconomic impact of excessive restrictions that go far beyond what is needed to keep everyone safe."
— Peter Cerdá, IATA Regional Vice President for the Americas
Cerdá further noted that Chile's border policies appear overly conservative compared to other nations. Many countries have eliminated quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers while implementing more flexible measures to balance public health safety with economic recovery.
IATA's Recommendations: Five Key Proposals
To facilitate sector recovery, IATA has presented five critical recommendations for the Chilean government to reconsider its "Protected Borders Program":
- Eliminate quarantine requirements: Remove all quarantine mandates for incoming travelers to eliminate unnecessary travel barriers. IATA maintains that vaccinated travelers with negative test results present minimal transmission risk.
- Provide alternatives for unvaccinated individuals: Offer entry options beyond vaccination for unvaccinated travelers (including minors), such as increased testing frequency.
- Waive testing for vaccinated travelers: Remove pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers to streamline entry procedures.
- Permit international-to-domestic connections: Allow passengers to transfer between international and domestic flights to improve domestic route connectivity.
- Expedite vaccine certificate verification: Accelerate validation processes for international vaccination certificates to ensure smooth entry.
Domestic Travel Restrictions: Compounding Challenges
Beyond international travel limitations, Chile plans to implement new domestic air travel measures starting November 1, 2021, requiring passengers to present a Mobility Pass or face capacity restrictions. IATA warns this would further constrain domestic mobility and negatively impact aviation.
The association urges Chile to rescind this measure to maintain domestic connectivity and preserve vital family and economic connections.
Learning from Global Examples: Balancing Safety and Openness
IATA encourages Chile to adopt World Health Organization (WHO) risk-based strategies and follow successful international examples. Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have eliminated quarantine requirements for international travelers, while Latin American nations like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina have relaxed restrictions to revive their tourism sectors.
"Chile must work to implement similar strategies to avoid continuing to lose ground in competition with other Latin American countries that have removed restrictions. Evidence shows it's entirely possible to safely restore travel, tourism, employment, and freedom of movement."
— Peter Cerdá
Cerdá emphasized Chile's potential as a regional tourism hub, given its unique geography and abundant attractions. However, maintaining overly conservative border policies risks squandering this potential and diminishing Chile's competitiveness in the global tourism market.
The Path Forward for Chilean Aviation
Chile's aviation sector faces a challenging recovery that requires government policy support. Removing unnecessary restrictions and simplifying entry procedures could revitalize aviation and tourism, injecting new energy into Chile's economy.
IATA's appeal reflects the collective voice of the aviation industry and traveler expectations. The Chilean government's policy decisions will significantly influence the sector's future trajectory.
The association expresses confidence that through collaborative efforts between government, aviation, and tourism stakeholders, Chile's aviation industry can overcome current challenges, achieve recovery, and contribute substantially to national economic development.