Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific has revealed airports across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are ready for the restart of the aviation sector following the crippling impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

At a recent member consultation, Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern airports indicated they were ready for the resumption following the ongoing implementation of public health measures.

The measures are implemented in full support and alignment with the recently released recommendations in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Council Aviation Recovery Task Force Report. The report sets the guidelines for a common travel experience across the region’s airports.

ACI says airports across the board are already implementing measures such as ensuring front-line employees wear personal protective equipment, placing additional hand sanitiser stations throughout airport facilities, enhanced cleaning and sanitation and implementing airport-wide physical distancing for the protection of passengers.

Airports in the region have also adopted temperature checks as a health screening measure.

HEALTH SCREENING MEASURES

Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific said: “We are encouraged to see the majority of public health authorities, directly or jointly with airport operators deploying health screening measures such as temperature checks at airports.

“This close cooperation between public health authorities, civil aviation authorities and airports is critical for the sector to resume operations and rebuild passengers’ confidence to travel.”

Many airports consulted believe short-term measures could negatively impact passenger handling capacity, as the industry continues its recovery.

“Airports are clearly expressing that the measures used during the restart will not be sustainable for the longer term.

“It is imperative for public health authorities, civil aviation authorities and airports to continue partnering to update and adapt health screening measures based on changing data and medical evidence, as travel picks up,” commented Baronci.

Measures for the long-term recovery are expected to include the promotion of a health culture, engagement with local communities to rebuild travel confidence, automating more and installing touchless technology.

Governments and regulators are evaluating opportunities to establish travel corridors within their sub-regions to facilitate necessary travel and resume business activities. Baronci concluded: “ACI Asia-Pacific believes this as a step in the right direction that will allow airports to show the flying public it is taking a responsible approach to opening up.”

Members consulted include those on the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Board and Covid-19 Task Force. The objective of the consultation was to understand which public health measures are being implemented, which entities are responsible for which measures, who will bear the cost and the impact of these measures on airport operations.