The International Air Transport Association (Iata) on Tuesday called for "systematic" Covid-19 testing of all passengers at airports before departure to replace the quarantine measures that are "killing the aviation industry".

And it will provide passengers with the certainty that they can travel without having to worry about a last-minute change in government rules that could spoil their plans."

Iata chief said quarantines erected by various governments around the world are "killing the aviation industry" by thwarting airline efforts to recover from the pandemic. However, testing all passengers before they travel should allow governments to completely end the practice and enable the re-starting of the aviation industry that has suffered billions of dollars in losses as well as millions of jobs lost, the Iata chief said.

The integration of systematic testing into the travel process will present logistical challenges and impact how people travel,"  said during a conference call with media.