Trump travel ban spawns confusion, say airlines

GENEVA. - The aviation industry’s trade association has criticised US President Donald Trump’s travel bans for “causing confusion” and called on Washington to clarify the new rules.

“We ask for early clarity from the US administration on the current situation,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order barring US entry for travellers from seven mainly Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - for 90 days.

It also suspends the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, and Syrian refugees indefinitely. The order led to chaotic scenes at airports around the world, as well as mass protests in major American cities and a diplomatic outcry.

Trump’s order was “issued without prior coordination or warning, causing confusion among both airlines and travellers,” the Geneva-based IATA said.

“It also placed additional burdens on airlines to comply with unclear requirements, to bear implementation costs and to face potential penalties for non-compliance.” IATA member airlines can be fined if they allow individuals who lack proper permits to board, and can be responsible for returning passengers who are denied entry to their point of departure.