European airlines demand opening date from US for travellers

US authorities were called by European airlines on Wednesday to set a date for reopening and to agree a list of mutually recognized coronavirus vaccines. Earlier in September, US president Joe Biden promised to make the reopening reality in November, primarily for EU citizens.

Washington is planning to check full vaccination and enforce testing and contact tracing for those who want to enter the country.

The United States closed its borders back in March 2020 for travelers from the EU followed by restrictions on citizens from a number of other countries.

In a statement, Airlines for Europe (“A4E”), an organisation representing Europe’s air travel industry, wrote they are still waiting for an opening date from the US, and for the American government’s recognition of the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate (DCC).

One of the last unresolved points for the US, according to sources familiar with the discussions, is that the authorities there have not yet cleared the AstraZeneca vaccine which has been widely used by governments in the EU.

Source: Euractiv, Airlines for Europe