Empty airports and empty planes - these were the surreal yet everyday scenes during the health crisis. Now that international tourism is back on its feet, travellers in search of far-flung destinations are eagerly making their way back to boarding rooms. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is forecasting a return to pre-crisis levels as early as this year. However, the industry is facing a number of challenges, mainly social and economic, which are somewhat hampering its return to normality.