Iata pointed to advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), which stated last week that “blanket” travel bans do not prevent the international spread of Omicron.

Willie Walsh, Iata’s director general, added: “After nearly two years with Covid-19, we know a lot about the virus and the inability of travel restrictions to control its spread.

“But the discovery of the Omicron variant induced instant amnesia on governments which implemented knee-jerk restrictions in complete contravention of advice from the WHO – the global expert.”

Walsh urged governments to commit to a review period when any new travel restrictions are implemented, so they could be removed as soon as possible.

“Once a measure is put in place, it is very challenging to get governments to consider reviewing it, let alone removing it, even when there is plenty of evidence pointing in that direction,” he said. 

“That is why is it essential that governments commit to a review period when any new measure is introduced.

“If there is an overreaction – as we believe is the case with Omicron – we must have a way to limit the damage and get back on the right track. Whatever measures are in place need to be constantly justified against the latest and most accurate scientific knowledge.”