Photographer: Wei Leng Tay / Bloomberg Photographer: Wei Leng Tay / Bloomberg Countries that have quickly rolled out coronavirus vaccines are only cautiously reopening for international travel, a sign that it will take time for a hoped-for rebound in air traffic expands. capacity remains stuck at around a tenth of 2019 levels, as the government sets the May 17 target of restarting international travel. Israel, where nearly 55% of the population has been fully vaccinated, is preparing to welcome visitors in groups from May 23 if they can show they have received the vaccine. Policymakers face a difficult balance. A second consecutive summer without major air travel would spell a major setback for an already struggling aviation industry, as well as hotels, shops and restaurants that depend on tourism. Meanwhile, there are fears that premature reopening may help spread new strains of the coronavirus and jeopardize progress towards slowing the spread of the disease. The capacity of still anchored seats remains blocked despite high vaccination levels Source: OAG United States can provide a test case. The country struggles to keep infection rates low, even as a powerful vaccination campaign accelerates. While international travel to most destinations is still prohibited, domestic capacity is increasing, with airlines planning to add flights in the coming weeks. Chile is already in full retreat. The Latin American country obtained its supplies from the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and has fully immunized more than a quarter of its population. After reopening for air travel in November, it has now backed down, closing its borders to most this month in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases. Cautious approach In the UK, around half of the population has received at least one dose. The government, determined to protect the hard-earned success of reducing infection rates, said it would review data early next month on which countries should be greenlisted in its traffic light system, before making a final decision on the month of May. 17 objective of lifting the ban on non-essential travel. Airlines have called for Britain to clear the way for a reopening in the region. Wizz Air Holdings Plc CEO Jozsef Varadi said this week he no longer expected a rebound in European air travel during the peak season this summer, citing travel restrictions and problems with vaccine deployment. Keen to restart tourism, the government announced that it would only reopen in stages from May 23. The groups will start because they are easier to monitor, according to Haaretz. No date has been set to allow individual travelers and health officials will monitor infection rates before making a decision. Neighboring UAE has remained open to air travel for months, while focusing on rapid vaccinations. However, its long-distance hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi revolve around 50% of their capacity, depending on large countries in Europe and Asia to lift the borders. Asia has generally relied on social distancing measures to keep infection rates low. Singapore has one of the highest vaccination rates in the region, with around 20% of its population receiving at least one dose. Visits to low-risk countries like New Zealand are permitted under certain circumstances. As part of one program, business travelers stay in a confined area near Changi Airport and hold meetings with locals through a glass wall. Dominant Singapore Airlines Ltd. The government is in talks with several countries to set up air bubbles, including Hong Kong and Australia. Hungary has administered at least a first dose of vaccine to over 30% of its population. Yet daily infection levels remain high and virus mortality is among the highest in Europe. Although foreigners are still barred from entry for personal travel, the Eastern European country has kept its open borders for the transit of goods. With air capacity 92% below 2019 levels, the government looks forward to welcoming football fans in June to the Euro 2021 football tournament. – With help from Marton Eder, Kyunghee Park, Corinne Gretler and Layan Odeh. Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN MORE .
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