The aviation industry remains at the forefront of implementing strategic measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), as air travel plays a key role in both the transmission and prevention of the virus. In light of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined essential guidelines to standardize the aviation sector’s operational processes in managing COVID-19.
Aviation crew and ground personnel should receive training on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as how to prevent its transmission, such as practicing proper hand hygiene, social distancing and respiratory etiquette (covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing).
The training should also educate personnel on proper use and removal of personal protective equipment and implementation of best practices on environmental cleaning, waste disposal, and management of situations where the personnel comes in contact with individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
For aviation staff stationed in areas where there are COVID-19 cases, training should include knowledge on reporting, management of ill travelers, and contact tracing.
Additional precautionary measures must be applied to reduce the possibility of infection, such as:
If you develop any of these symptoms during a flight, it is recommended to stop carrying out your duties only when it is safe to do so. Then, inform the crew and follow the steps outlined in WHO’s Global Surveillance for human infection with coronavirus disease.
Airline staff and aircraft operators must collaborate with airport health authorities in managing suspected cases and in implementing the airport public health contingency plan. Aside from this scheme, the interim guidance released by WHO for managing ill travelers at ports of entry and the action items in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 9 and 14 must be implemented.
Airport health authorities must also coordinate with support service providers so the latter can execute relevant safety procedures. These service providers may include aircraft cleaners, cargo and baggage handlers and waste removal service providers.
In case the cabin crew identifies an ill traveler on-board the aircraft, they should ensure contact with the said traveler and other passengers or cabin crew members is minimized. The pilots and aircrew should then inform their airport of destination about the situation prior to arrival.
The aircrew should guide the ill traveler to disembark according to protocols set by the airport health authority to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to other passengers, crew members and ground personnel.
Airport staff should be present to assess the condition of the traveler, who will be isolated if he/she meets the definition of a suspected case.
As soon as a suspected case has been identified on-board, the aircrew must identify and manage the contacts to prevent further transmission of the disease.
A contact is any individual sitting within two meters of the suspected case; any travel companion or individual providing care to the suspected case; and any cabin crew member who served the suspected case or who had been designated to look after the suspected case.
Once the aircraft arrives at the airport, the suspected case and their contacts will need to undergo health observation. If the suspected case tests positive for COVID-19 after the flight, then all contacts must be quarantined. Other passengers who have not been identified as contacts will be advised to self-monitor for 14 days, and must immediately seek health services and self-isolate if they develop any symptoms.
The aircraft should have universal precaution kits that can be operated by at least one cabin crew member. The kits should include the following:
Routine cleaning procedures will suffice if there is no passenger who developed or showed any of the COVID-19 symptoms. However, if there is a passenger who developed or showed any symptom during or immediately after the flight, more stringent cleaning procedures should be applied, including the following:
WHO strongly suggests boosting hygiene services at the airport in compliance with guidelines from the Airport Council International: https://aci.aero/about-aci/priorities/health/documentation/
To view the full interim guidance from WHO, please click here.
Jetex Teams around the world remain available and on standby to provide comprehensive trip planning solutions, especially for medical, evacuation and cargo flights. Contact us at info@jetex.com or +971 4 212 4900.
