Prof. Marion Joppe, from U of G’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, spoke with Global News Morning Edmonton about what the future of safe air travel might look like.

She said airlines are no longer leaving seats open on planes because it’s not sustainable to operate flight with so many empty. The focus now, she said, is on enhanced sanitation.

Joppe noted that airports are struggling as well with the steep drop-off in air travel, as are airport retailers and suppliers, and the effects of these changes will be felt for years. Couple that with the increase in sanitation costs and it will be passengers who will eventually have to pay for losses through higher ticket prices.

Joppe, who researches the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism, also spoke with 570 News on the same topic.