The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) called for a “more measured and evidence-based” response, saying “the costs of significantly restricted global air mobility affect all countries”.Īirlines have been blaming a lack of consistent and stable health protocols as well as border restrictions for depressed international travel demand. “It feels a little bit like we are back to where we were a year ago and that’s not a great prospect for the industry and beyond,” Deirdre Fulton, a partner at consultancy MIDAS Aviation, said at an industry webinar. On Wednesday, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby said the new variant will have a near-term impact on bookings.įitch Ratings has lowered its global passenger traffic forecasts for 20, saying the emergence of new variants like Omicron highlight the likelihood that conditions would remain volatile for airlines.

Many travellers have already booked trips for the Christmas period, a peak season for airlines, but since news of the variant last week, there are growing industry concerns over a pause in future bookings and further delays to the already slow recovery in business travel.

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