ASIA PACIFIC. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) said it is encouraged by a new report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) paving the way for the duty free sector to actively plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As reported, the ICAO Aviation Recovery Task Force Report gave a range of guidelines for a global recovery across the aviation sector, including how to reach safety standards in airside areas.
APTRA has been talking with ICAO representatives since the outbreak of COVID-19. The association set out the contribution made by the duty free industry to both employment across the region and the commercial income of airports.
In its approach, the association included a retail map of Terminal 3 at Singapore Changi Airport illustrating how retail outlets allow for eased passenger flow. APTRA also detailed proposed hygiene precautions to ensure the protection of workers and customers.
APTRA President Sunil Tuli commented: “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, APTRA has accelerated our advocacy work, this time campaigning with ICAO representatives in Asia Pacific as part of a wider campaign to 26 governments across the region.
“We wrote to Ms Fang Liu, ICAO Council Secretary General, explaining the essential role our industry plays in the aviation ecosystem asking for ICAO recognition of the unique dynamics of our industry and in considering measures to enable a level of recovery. We welcome the positive indications in these guidelines for the resumption of airport commercial operations in airports.”
Outlining the next stage of the association’s approach, APTRA Executive Director Christina Oliver said: “The next layer will see us go back to the civil aviation authorities to see if the countries will abide by ICAO rules or veer away from them, as we want to make sure they take those guidelines into force.”
As reported, APTRA will be making use of the Association Lounge at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, taking place 12-16 October. The association will utilise the extensive facilities made available free of charge to key trade associations to enable them to promote their events, services, policies and membership drives and chat live with industry members.
Sunil Tuli is also part of a powerful line-up of speakers for the Virtual Expo’s Knowledge Hub, where he will speak in both his capacity as APTRA President and King Power Group (Hong Kong) Chief Executive.
