Speaking at the UK Aviation Club, Iata director Willie Walsh emphasised the value of face-to-face meetings and the "desire" of travellers to fly again.
But he further warned that by restricting travel and persisting with PCR testing, the UK had failed to capitalise on its effective Covid-19 vaccination roll-out scheme, and had "slipped behind" its EU partners.
"In terms of day-to-day life, the UK is far more pragmatic in managing Covid-19 than many other states," Walsh said.
"But its approach to travel continues to focus on restrictions which cannot be justified based on risk."
