Aviation Expert and Author Geoffrey Thomas says a uniform standard of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations – in or to travel internationally – will likely become a standard across the globe that 99 per cent of countries would sign up to.

Mr Thomas said while the Australian government may not force someone to be vaccinated from COVID-19 to travel, other countries around the world may not allow entry into their countries without a vaccination.

“It may not necessarily be a matter of what the Australian government wants, it’s a matter of what all the other governments of the world want and need, is going to dictate what will happen,” he said.

“What the International Air Transport Association is trying to achieve – which is exactly what Allen Joyce is saying – is a uniform standard right across the globe and I would expect 99 per cent of countries would sign up and would make it mandatory.”

Australia’s largest airline has declared it will require passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they can travel internationally.

Travellers looking to fly with Qantas into or out of Australia will need to prove they’ve received an appropriate vaccine or they will not be permitted to board the plane.