For the past few weeks, the borders have been gradually opening up. The epidemic situation is stabilizing in several countries, with the measures taken by the governments but also thanks to the arrival of vaccination. Since March 2020, the confinements, deconfinements and closure of borders had complicated tourist travel and travel to second homes. Only business trips or compelling reasons were used as exemption to leave the territory. The health crisis had a strong impact on the business aviation sector. The hope of a return to travel is now possible with the health pass as evidenced by the increase in private jet reservations over the past month. PCR tests, vaccinations and even recent contamination are terms that are often mentioned when preparing a pass. However, this information is sometimes a grey area for travelers.
We will briefly describe the requirements for obtaining this vaccination pass and explain how it will affect your next private jet trip.
What is the health pass?
2021 was a year of hope. After a difficult year worldwide with the arrival and spread of COVID-19, the first vaccines are coming out.
The development of vaccines, a hope to go on vacation
In parallel with the measures taken by the government, vaccination is slowly arriving in France. Although it was sometimes reserved for the elderly, it also came up against the French people’s fear of the components of the vaccines.
Several laboratories quickly developed their vaccines and studies on vaccinated people were reassuring. Since last May, vaccination has accelerated in France, allowing more and more age groups to benefit from it. Currently, all adults are eligible for vaccination and teenagers will be the next to have access to it.
Faced with this increasing vaccination coverage in France, but also all over the world, the European Union met to set up the health pass. The objective is to ensure the safety of all, while boosting national economies with the return of tourists from this summer. Indeed, countries are relaxing their restrictive measures but for some activities, the health pass will still be required, even in France.
How do I get a health pass to fly in a private jet this summer?
First of all, we must distinguish two health passes: one, set up on a national scale, in France and the second, made with the European Union.
June 9, 2021 marks a new step towards total decontamination for the French. Sports and cultural competitions are once again authorized. However, events gathering more than a thousand people are subject to the obligation of a health pass.
It is important to mention that this pass is not mandatory! But, without it, some activities are not accessible. In addition, in the air sector, air travel will be made easier with the pass.
In concrete terms, to access all this, anyone who owns a health pass will only have to present it in digital form, directly on the TousAntiCovid application, but also in paper form.
To obtain a health pass, here are the requirements:
Vaccination certificate: when an individual has received their last dose of vaccine and has waited the required incubation time after the last dose.
If a person has proof of having been positive for COVID-19 recently, only one dose is required, otherwise each person must complete two doses. In addition, depending on the vaccine injected, the incubation time after the last dose varies from two to four weeks before that person is considered fully vaccinated.
Finally, there is the waiting period between the first and second injections, which is about one month. Therefore, two to three months are needed before being fully vaccinated.
Proof of a negative RT-PCR or antigenic test: this test must be less than 48 hours old to be able to go to an event and 72 hours old when a person has to carry out a sanitary control at the borders. For example, for a one-week trip, a first PCR test must be performed to go to that country and a second one to come back. Please note that PCR tests are not free abroad.
A positive RT-PCR or antigenic test proving the cure of COVID-19, dating from at least 15 days ago and up to 6 months before. Indeed, after a contamination, antibodies are still present allowing a temporary immunity to the test positive person.
The vaccine passport: when is it required and at what age?
First of all, it is necessary to distinguish two sanitary passes: one, set up on a national scale, in France and the second, carried out with the European Union.
June 9, 2021 marks a new step towards total decontamination for the French. Sports and cultural competitions are once again authorized. However, events gathering more than a thousand people are subject to the obligation of a health pass.
It is important to mention that this pass is not mandatory! But, without it, some activities are not accessible. In addition, in the air sector, air travel will be made easier with the pass.
In concrete terms, to access all this, anyone who owns a health pass will only have to present it in digital form, directly on the TousAntiCovid application, but also in paper form.
To obtain a health pass, here are the requirements:
Vaccination certificate: when an individual has received their last dose of vaccine and has waited the required incubation time after the last dose.
If a person has proof of having been positive for COVID-19 recently, only one dose is required, otherwise each person must complete two doses. In addition, depending on the vaccine injected, the incubation time after the last dose varies from two to four weeks before that person is considered fully vaccinated.
Finally, there is the waiting period between the first and second injections, which is about one month. Therefore, two to three months are needed before being fully vaccinated.
Proof of a negative RT-PCR or antigenic test: this test must be less than 48 hours old to be able to go to an event and 72 hours old when a person has to carry out a sanitary control at the borders. For example, for a one-week trip, a first PCR test must be performed to go to that country and a second one to come back. Please note that PCR tests are not free abroad.
A positive RT-PCR or antigenic test proving the cure of COVID-19, dating from at least 15 days ago and up to 6 months before. Indeed, after a contamination, antibodies are still present allowing a temporary immunity to the test positive person.
The vaccination passport: when and at what age is it required?
In France, the health passport is in force since June 9, 2021 and until September 30. It is necessary to wait three weeks before this health pass is required within the European Union, that is to say, on July 1, 2021. It will be presented under the name of the European Covid digital certificate.
Who does it concern? All persons over 11 years old are concerned by the health pass. For people under the required age to access the vaccination, an RT-PCR test is required.
Which destinations should I choose with the health pass in view of the explosion in requests for private flight bookings?
Despite the pass, each country is free to impose its own conditions: it is therefore essential to regularly inquire about the destination to be chosen.
Although Corsica is in France, the island has decided on a particular way of operating: the health pass, even for French citizens, is required to travel there. This is the same rule as the one imposed to travel in the Overseas Territories.
As of this summer, it is therefore possible to travel within Europe but also in the four countries that do not belong to the European Union but to the Schengen area: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
For all other countries outside of Europe, it is necessary to contact the embassies to find out if the country allows tourists and under what conditions.
With the generalization of the health pass in Europe, the desire for a change of scenery has caused a sharp increase in demand for jets this summer. After a difficult year, it seems that people have not given up on their vacations!
Our aviation experts are at your disposal 24/7 for your private flight at +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82. Don’t hesitate to visit our online quote to get a price estimate for your private flight.
