26 May 2020: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have released some effective guidelines for the restart of air travel in Europe. If these protocols are followed by the airlines, airports and passengers it will definitely help in restoring the air travel and in turn restoring passenger confidence in flying. The guidelines are as per the COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol and IATA has welcomed this move wholeheartedly.
Key measures in the EASA guidelines include:
- Physical distancing at the airport should be maintained. Terminal infrastructure, such as with baggage drop and claim, and at security, should be optimized to prevent queuing.
- The wearing of masks at all times in the airport and on board is recommended, as is provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures in both the airport and aircraft are recommended, especially for frequently-touched surfaces.
- Where allowed by the passenger load, cabin configuration and mass and balance requirements, airlines should ensure, to the extent possible, physical distancing among passengers. Family members and individuals travelling together as part of the same household can be seated next to each other.
These guidelines are an important contribution to the International Civil Aviation Organization COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Taskforce (ICAO CART) which is tasked with developing the global standards needed for the safe re-start of aviation.