TravTalk India Online Magazine
Initiatives of 102 airlines were evaluated across Asia Pacific, out of which nine airlines scored a Safe Travel Score of 4.0 or above the highest ratio worldwide. Air China and Vistara are the top APAC full-service carriers with a Safe Travel Score of 4.1 out of 5 each.
Even as airlines continue to struggle in the light of COVID-19, the need of the hour is to streamline passenger-centric COVID-19 safety and health protocols worldwide. To achieve that, governments and the aviation industry at large are doubling down the concept of health passports. Essentially, these ‘passports’ prove travellers’ COVID-19 vaccination status, and supported with the independent health passes, could enable the means of ensuring safe travel.
APAC carriers soar
Each airline is undertaking varied operational strategies to adjust to the new market realities. Air China and Vistara are the top APAC full-service carriers with a Safe Travel Score of 4.1 out of 5 each. Vistara was at heels with Air China on the January 2021 leaderboard with a Safe Travel Score of 4.0. Through various initiatives over the month, it took the leap to a score of 4.1 on the February leaderboard. Air India came in at number seven with a
score of 4.
As far as the LCCs are concerned, AirAsia and IndiGo lead the LCC leaderboard with a Safe Travel Score of 4.0 each. Three Indian airlines made it to the top 10 list with IndiGo leading the way and SpiceJet following close at number three with a 3.9 score. GoAir came in at number five with a 3.8 score.
Carriers worldwide
Per the assessment on February 28, 2021, Doha-based Qatar Airways leads for the second consecutive month with a Safe Travel Score of 4.5 out of 5.0. Qatar Airways’ lead worldwide and specifically among full-service carriers is driven by its initiatives associated with two sub-categories – COVID-19 Safety Protocols (98%) and Traveler Convenience (100%) – which contribute to the Safe Travel Score. Emirates falls slightly shy of Qatar Airways with a Safe Travel Score of 4.4 in the same month. Indian carrier Vistara came in at number eight with a 4.1 score and the only Indian carrier to figure in the top 10.
Indian carriers did much better in the LCC segment with three Indian airlines in the top 10 list. Southwest Airlines from the US maintains the top spot on the low-cost carrier leaderboard with a Safe Travel Score of 4.0 in February 2021. It, however, is tied with two prominent Asian LCCs – AirAsia as well as IndiGo.
