The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued a joint
document defining recommended Covid-19 health and safety measures for the
resumption of air travel.
The guidelines feature overarching principles such as
observing physical distancing where possible, wearing facemasks and encouraging
passengers to practice “scrupulous” handwashing and hygiene. The agencies said
airlines must reassure their customers that the filtered air on board aircraft
is “safer and cleaner than many of us breathe on the ground”.
It also recommends the use of thermal screening at departure airports but says scientific evidence shows the use of entry screening at arrival airports is ineffective. Nonetheless, the agencies said such screening measures could act as a way to boost passenger confidence.
European commissioner for air transport Adina Valean said: “The
safety of passengers and crews has always been paramount in aviation.
Passengers have to have confidence that taking to the skies again in a confined
space with other people poses the minimum possible risk to their health.
“The protocol released today will reassure passengers that it
is safe for them to fly and so help the industry recover from the effects of
this pandemic.”
According to the EASA, the protocols rely heavily on air
passengers taking personal responsibility by not travelling if they have any of
the common Covid-19 symptoms (fever, cough, sudden loss of smell, or shortness
of breath), or if they know they have come into contact with someone confirmed
to have the disease. It said passengers should be asked to declare their Covid-19-related
status before receiving their boarding pass and will be required to provide
contact information to allow for “track and trace” procedures if another person
on their flight later tests positive for coronavirus.
For airlines and airports, the agencies say “significant
changes” will be required. “Aeroplane operators and airport operators should
cooperate to ensure physical distancing is respected wherever feasible,
especially during check-in, security check, pre-boarding and boarding.” The
guideline states that other mitigation measures such as hand hygiene and “respiratory
etiquette” should be used where physical distancing of at least 1.5m is not
possible, and that those dropping off passengers “will need to say goodbye” and
not enter the terminal building.
On the aircraft, the EASA said the guidelines offer
flexibility but are clear that physical distancing should be maintained where
allowed “by passenger load, cabin configuration and mass and balance
requirements”.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which
put forward its own proposal of a layering of measures before, during and after
journeys, welcomed the announcement, saying the guidelines are aligned with recommendations
provided by airlines and airports.
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s regional vice president for
Europe, commented: “EASA and ECDC has delivered a sensible framework for
restarting aviation while protecting public health. The guidance is clear that
while airlines should seek to maintain physical distancing where practicable,
flexibility on seating arrangements is permitted. And quarantine requirements
are not necessary.”
IATA has long criticised the idea of leaving middle seats
empty during flights, saying the model is not economically viable for airlines
and would drive ticket prices up. It has also hit back at individual
governments’ decisions to impose 14-day quarantine periods for international
travellers, which it says could further delay the industry’s recovery.
Schvartzman continued: “But it is absolutely essential that
all European states apply these guidelines in a harmonised and mutually
recognised way. Local deviations and exceptions will damage public confidence
and make it harder to operate effectively. This would be harmful to public
health and the economic recovery. IATA will support states to implement these
guidelines in the fastest and most efficient way.”
Thomas Reynaert, MD of Airlines for Europe (A4E), said: “Travellers
need reassurance that they can plan their trips with confidence. For this, we
need member states to implement coordinated and consistent processes and
measures across European airports. Equally important, we urge national
authorities to adhere to the European Commission’s guidelines calling for ‘individually
targeted measures’ as opposed to blanket measures such as quarantines.”