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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has moved to allay arising fears over air travel following publication of findings that COVID-19 can be transmitted during flights.

Earlier this week, findings from two new international studies suggested that the virus is transmissible on long-haul airline flights.

IATA acknowledged the findings, but said the chances of contracting COVID-19 mid-flight were low.

“There have been millions of flights since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. And there are very few reported incidents where onboard transmission is suspected. We believe that the data is telling us that the risk of onboard transmission of the virus is low when compared with other public indoor environments, such as trains, buses, restaurants and workplaces,” the body said in a statement.

IATA also noted that stronger measures against COVID-19 have been put in place in the aviation sector, which further lowers the risk of a traveler contracting the virus during their journeys.

These measures include the mandatory earing of face coverings by passengers, thorough disinfection of the flights and hand hygiene.

“Aircraft benefit from very high air exchange rates and HEPA filters which filter more than 99.99% of all particles including viruses,” said IATA.

Air travel is starting to see a return to normal survives following months-long shutdowns occasioned by restrictions and border closures imposed by various governments.