Anticipating an increase in aviation travel as countries begin to relax their Covid-19 restrictions, Airports Council International (ACI) has issued a comprehensive advisory guide. Aviation Operations During COVID-19 — Business Restart and Recovery is aimed at helping airport operators follow best health practices while traffic ramps back up.
Among the topics explored are re-acclimating furloughed staff; examining areas of airport pavement that have been used for long-term aircraft parking, especially taxiways and runways that are not intended for such use; dealing with the encroachment of wildlife that might have become more comfortable during a period of fewer flights; assessing equipment that has been dormant; establishing health screening protocols; and evaluating operational tempos in the “new normal,” which might require aircraft to stay at gates longer for enhanced cleaning procedures.
ACI noted the restart guide is a “living” document, which will be amended and/or expanded as more information becomes available. The organization estimates that airports worldwide will suffer a reduction of more than 4.6 billion passengers and a decline in revenue of more than $97 billion U.S. in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
“For airports, the focus is to protect the health and welfare of travelers, staff, and the public, to minimize the opportunities for dissemination of disease while maintaining efficient operations,” said ACI World director general Angela Gittens.