The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus has led the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring a global emergency. As of writing, 25 countries have reported confirmed cases, including China, where 24,363 people had contracted the virus. In all other countries, 191 cases have contracted the virus.
International travel restrictions and the concern for the health and safety of staff are beginning to be felt by the aviation industry. And it’s not just the suspension of flights to China that are being announced.
Aviation Festival Asia has been pushed back until June from its mid-February dates. The Singapore AirShow has lost a number of high-profile international exhibitors, The Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS) 2020, a component of the Airshow programme involving 300 aviation leaders, comprising government officials, civil aviation authorities, airport operators and airline executives, will not take place this year. According to organisers, Experia, this will allow many of the aviation leaders who are deeply involved in working out the responses to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak to focus on exigencies related to the ongoing situation.
The onboard service response has been quick to be implemented.
THAI’s preventive measures include passenger screening and ground service; in-flight service; aircraft interior cleaning measures and meal preparation measures. Crew must also wear protective masks and gloves, and pay attention to passenger symptoms while on board.
Korean Air has strengthened the level of cabin disinfection for planes that have flown on routes to China. The airline sterilises planes arriving from large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao and Guangzhou to Incheon Airport upon arrival. Aircraft flying to other destinations in China will be disinfected periodically in order to actively prevent the spread of infection.
Disposable cutlery will be used to serve in-flight meals on all China routes, which will then be disposed of in sealed plastic bags to prevent cross infection. Comfort items such as blankets and pillows will not be provided, and in-flight meals for return flights from Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei and Shanghai, which are usually supplied locally, will be loaded at the time of departure from Incheon.
Flight attendants are recommended to wear masks and plastic gloves on all routes, and the airline is loading each flight with adequate equipment in preparation for any possible infection onboard: masks for passengers seated near suspicious patients and hazmat suits for flight attendants who may need to take care of onboard patients.
Efforts from all airlines continue in order to enable the safe journey of passengers amid the continuous spread of the new coronavirus.
