Flying during Pandemic

Palak Gupta

Boeing, in collaboration, with the US-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) hosted a discussion on measures to build confidence in air travel in a post Covid-19 world. The webinar was titled ‘Restoring Confidence in Air Travel’.

Fleet of aircraft like Spicejet, Go Air and Indigo parked at the airport

To minimise the risk of virus transmission, the aviation and hospitality industries have taken several measures in constructing multiple layers of protection almost into every aspect of travel.

This includes contactless boarding experience for passengers, cleaning and disinfecting practices in an aircraft, minimising contaminants from spreading throughout the aircraft cabin through the careful design of the cabin air system and encouraging passengers to wear face coverings.

The US aerospace giant Boeing has also announced its Confident Travel Initiative where its team of experts will work with airlines, global regulators, industry stakeholders, flying passengers, infectious disease experts and behavioural specialists to establish industry-recognised safety recommendations.

The team is also advising operators on existing, EPA-approved disinfectants that are compatible with airplane flight decks and cabins and testing other sanitizers. Boeing airplanes utilise High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that trap 99.9+ per cent of particulates—including bacteria and viruses from re-circulated air and prevents them from re-circulating back to the cabin. Boeing is also focusing on longer-lead items that will serve as additional layers of protection to what’s already in place today. This includes existing UV technology and how it might be used to sanitise the flight deck, off the shelf anti-microbial coatings that provide a hostile environment for viruses and bacteria once it’s sprayed on surfaces and self-disinfecting airplane lavatory.

Stressing improved air travel health measures as the need of the hour, President, Boeing India, Salil Gupte said, “We are partnering with airlines, ministry of civil aviation, DGCA and the industry to create a multi-layered approach focused on keeping passengers and airline crews healthy. Layered protection requires a system-wide approach extending beyond the airplane to the full travel experience. Having consistent, industry-recognised safety standards and protocols will be an important part of recovery as travel resumes.”

The event was attended by ministry of civil aviation, ministry of tourism, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Incheon International Airport, GMR, IndiGo, Marriott International, and the Taj Hotels.

“The Covid-19 pandemic requires a joint effort to minimise air travel health risks and restore public confidence in travel and aviation. As air travel resumes and restrictions ease, the industry needs to partner and collaborate to develop new solutions, build on the existing best practices, and provide a safe travel experience to travellers. The safety and wellbeing of travellers, passengers and industry employees is a top priority for ACP and its members,” said programme director, US-India Aviation Cooperation Program Sandeep Bahl.

Civil aviation inarguably has been severely hit by Covid-19, which brought the sector literally to a virtual stands