International travel is unlikely to return to pre-coronavirus levels until 2023, according to the latest global forecast from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

While some international travel is likely to restart over the next 12 months, the IATA forecast says that the COVID-19 damage to world air travel – specifically long-haul travel – will be more severe and for “a longer duration” than initially expected.

The new report paints a slower recovery for international travel than previous forecasts, which pointed towards a speedier and stronger rebound.

According to the latest IATA forecast, post-pandemic quarantine measures are among air travellers’ top concerns. More than two-thirds of those surveyed said that they would consider cancelling their travel plans completely if required to quarantine for 14 days afterwards.

Speaking to the ABC News Breakfast program this morning, IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac said that international air travel would recover in stages.

The world’s air travel is not expected to return to pre-coronavirus levels until 2023, according to the latest global forecast @IATA pic.twitter.com/jGaXnGu3FY

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) May 13, 2020

“What we have planned is to restart the industry by first reopening domestic markets, then regional and continental markets – such as Asia Pacific, or Europe, or North America.”

He said international travel was unlikely to recommence until the fourth quarter of this year.

“At the end of 2020, the traffic should be between 50-55% of the same level that was in 2019. So, we would lose something like half of the traffic for 2020.”

The IATA report also proposes layering temporary non-quarantine measures like temperature screening, “vigorous” contact tracing and instant COVID-19 testing alongside an immunity passport system until a coronavirus vaccine is available.

However, the proposed “Trans-Tasman travel bubble” between Australia and New Zealand could provide one option for those travellers who have already ticked off their entire Aussie travel bucket list.