Aviation industry players working hand in hand to tackle ‘new normal’ in the skies

KUALA LUMPUR: Aviation industry players are ramping up collaborations to tackle the “new normal” in the day-to-day operations, as well as reviving the people’s confidence in air travel while simultaneously ensuring their safety.

Airbus Malaysia country head Raymond Lim said aviation is one of the industries that have been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, after positive developments in the battle against the pandemic, governments worldwide have started to ease their lockdown policies, and the industry might be able to recover as more airlines begin to take to the skies again.

“We are continuously engaging with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Airports Council International (ACI) because we cannot act alone.

“We need to work together to raise the public’s confidence that we are committed to ensure the highest level of safety for the passengers and crew,” he told Bernama.

He said all stakeholders need to play their part in ensuring that passengers comply with social-distancing measures and reducing person-to-person contact during check-in, immigration and security checks, as well as temperature screening.

Furthermore, he said there is a need to revise boarding and disembarking procedures to reduce congestion and ensure smoother passenger flow.

Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission of infections onboard aircraft is low because the air flow from the ventilation system passes downwards and not from side to side; therefore, the removal of the middle seat is technically unnecessary.

IATA has announced that it does not support mandating social-distancing measures that would leave middle seats empty.

Lim said, however, Airbus and IATA support the recommendation for passengers and crew to wear masks in the aircraft to reduce the already low risk of contamination.

“As far as seat configuration goes, we have received many suggestions on how the seats can be reconfigured. From our point of view, it is technically not required to reconfigure the seats because the cabin has a high level of filtration system, providing the safest air quality.

“We are also encouraging airlines to enhance sanitisation in the cabin, and they are already doing this. In fact, we have good quality products that ensure high sanitation quality and some of this cleanliness can be maintained for up to five days,” he added.

Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission of infections onboard aircraft is low and the removal of the middle seat is technically unnecessary. – REUTERSPIX

source https://www.thesundaily.my/business/aviation-industry-players-working-hand-in-hand-to-tackle-new-normal-in-the-skies-XX2541671