The majority (60%) of Travel News readers responding to our recent poll hold the view that proof of vaccination should be mandatory for travellers boarding international flights. The remaining 40% thought the vax shouldn’t be compulsory.
But, opinions aside. it’s a reality that compulsory vaccination could very well be the standard procedure for international travel in the future, and could become as important as a passport.
Alan Joyce, Qantas ceo, is outspoken on the topic. He has publicly stated his view more than once that he is fully in favour of compulsory vaccination for travel and he says that requiring passengers to be vaccinated will help protect Qantas crew and other passengers, and thus restore the confidence necessary for international travel.
A Qantas customer survey revealed that 89% of respondents supported a vaccination requirement for flying, and that such a requirement would encourage them to travel internationally again. “Our legal advice is that we can do it, and we will put it in at the appropriate time,” he says, adding that the carrier will make exceptions for those who have medical conditions that preclude them from being vaccinated.
