Located close to Terminal 2, the 20,000 sq. ft laboratory is a dedicated facility for round-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB, Dubai Airports said in a press release.

“Using latest WHO-standard Covid-19 RT-PCR testing equipment, the lab can process up to 100,000 samples per day and provide reliable results within a few hours,” said the statement.

Dubai Airports in collaboration with Dubai Health Authority and Pure Health announced the opening of the lab on Tuesday, June 22.

The lab is equipped with negative and positive pressure rooms and is linked to government reporting platforms ensuring secure and easy sharing of information between health and regulatory authorities and airlines.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “As the world’s busiest international hub preparing for a surge in passenger traffic over the summer holidays and beyond, we were keen to make sure that the airport journey is safer, smoother and faster while fulfilling the required health protocols.”

“The lab’s quick turnaround for processing test results will go a long way in helping us deliver a service experience the world expects from Dubai,” he added.

Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, director general of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), said the laboratory’s capabilities will greatly help reduce waiting times for passengers arriving into Dubai and enable the effective implementation of relevant preventive and safety procedures.

Al Ketbi also noted the DHA’s keenness in expanding the lab’s scope considering that the presence of an in-house processing facility at DXB would enhance monitoring, investigation and proactive preventive steps taken by Dubai, as part of the measures to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Farhan Malik, group CEO of Pure Health, said, “Since the start of the pandemic we have continuously worked with the UAE government to bring the best testing solutions, following international quality standards and faster result reporting, to ensure we support our partners in this very dynamic environment.”

source : https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-dubai-airport-to-have-worlds-largest-lab-for-processing-pcr-tests

The various players managed to reconcile their differences during another round of discussions, paving the way for the trans-border travel passes to be introduced. Officials said the system should be up and running by July 1.

“This agreement is the first step to get the Schengen Area back on track,” European Parliament rapporteur Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar said, referring to Europe’s passport-free travel zone. “It will make all the difference, and it won’t be repeating the nightmare of Summer 2020.”

The European Commission said the certificates will be issued in digital format and designed to be shown either on smartphones or paper. It guaranteed that “a very high level of data protection will be ensured.”

Read full article with vidéo here : https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210521-eu-members-agree-on-covid-19-passes-for-summer-travel

Airports Council International (ACI-World)Apr 23rd, 2021

On April 22, Airports Council International (ACI) World published its preliminary world airport traffic rankings – covering passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and aircraft movements for 2020 – showing the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on what are ordinarily the world’s busiest airports.

Global passenger traffic at the world’s top 10 busiest airports decreased by -45.7 percent in 2020. Overall, passenger traffic at the world’s airports decreased by -64.6 percent which shows that the impact of the pandemic and the early stages of recovery in air travel has not been uniform around the world.

According to the preliminary data published April 22, Guangzhou Bai Yun International Airport in China recorded the most passenger traffic in 2020, with Atlanta Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport in the United States just behind.

Seven of the top 10 airports for passenger traffic are in China with three in the United States. In most cases, domestic air travel is beginning a modest rebound while international air travel remains depressed because of on-going travel restrictions. For example, Hongqiao International Airport in China has moved from 46th position in 2019 to the 9th in 2020, illustrating the uneven nature of the impact of, and recovery from, the pandemic across the world.

“The impact of the COVID-19 on global passenger traffic pandemic brought aviation to a virtual standstill in 2020 and we continue to face an existential threat,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “The data published today reveals the challenge airports continue to face and it remains imperative that the industry is supported through direct support and sensible policy decisions from governments to ensure that aviation can endure, rebuild connectivity, and fuel a global economic recovery.

“The findings show that the impact remains uneven with different regions experiencing different challenges and requiring different policy decisions and support from governments to lay the foundation for recovery. “With some positive signs of recovery, especially in countries with high rates of vaccination, a sustained global recovery will only be realised with an escalation of vaccination campaigns, the continued development of digital health passes, and coordinated and cohesive policy support from governments.”

Air cargo was less impacted by COVID 19, with volumes decreasing by only -8.9 percent, to an estimated 109 million metric tonnes in 2020, equivalent to 2016 levels (110 million metric tonnes).

Air cargo volumes in the top 10 airports grew by +3 percent in 2020. These airports represent around 28 percent (30.6 million metric tonnes) of the global volumes in 2020. The gain can be attributed to the increase in demand for online consumer goods and pharmaceutical products and personal protective equipment. With a +6.7 percent increase, Memphis International Airport surpassed Hong Kong International Airport.

ACI World estimates that there were 58 million global aircraft movements in 2020, representing a drop of -43 percent from 2019. The top 10 airports represent seven percent of global traffic (4.2 million movements) and experienced a drop of -34.3 percent compared to 2019. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport surpassed Chicago O’Hare International Airport, after leading in 2019 and 2018.

For airports, revenues are tightly correlated to traffic levels but, like many other capital-intensive businesses, a large proportion of airport costs remain largely fixed and do not fall at the same level as traffic throughput and revenues during the crisis. Even with reduced operations, the closure of terminals and staff layoffs, this imbalance remains.

“There is no denying the current economic realities – and the financial shortfall they create – that airports face,” Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “Airports are economic generators, bringing socio-economic benefits and jobs to the communities they serve, and governments need to provide the necessary financial alleviation and assistance to suit local circumstances.

“Airport operators also continue to work closely with their airline partners and other stakeholders balancing the current market realities with the cost of providing the infrastructure as they navigate the crisis together.”

source : https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21219924/airports-council-international-aciworld-aci-world-data-reveals-covid19s-impact-on-worlds-busiest-airports

Contactless technology is defining the passenger experiences at an increasing number of airports across the world after the 21^stcentury’s second pandemic turned the world of travel upside down and rapidly accelerated the pace of biometric deployment.

Biometrics remain the focus for investment with 64 per cent of airports aiming to roll out self-boarding gates using biometric and ID documentation by 2023. Contactless technologies have proven to be a game-changer as a 2020 report by SITA on Air Transport IT Insights revealed and airports have accorded high investment priority for touchless technology between now and 2023.

Emirates has unveiled a biometric path at DXB for contactless journeys. Kuala Lumpur has installed UV tunnels to automatically disinfect baggage as it passes through the conveyor belt.  San Diego Airport is utilizing advanced video analytics for social distancing and mask compliance. IATA is trailing a system that enables passengers to find information on travel, testing and vaccine requirements for their journey. Transport Security Administration (TSA) explores the use of UV-C light to disinfect security checkpoint bins in the US.

Touchless technology will help minimise the spread of viruses and reduce the interaction between passengers and staff through contactless check-in, security processes, inflight entertainment and food and beverage pre-ordering.

Essentials for travel now include contactless kiosks, Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS), contactless payments at the airport and mobile apps. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad became the first airline to trial new contactless self-service technologies that can estimate a passenger’s vital signs and allows touch-less health screenings at airport kiosks and bag drops. Self-service technology, predictive analysis, artificial intelligence, real-time information and data-sharing are among the digital concepts airports are deploying now to achieve a seamless passenger experience.

According to the Airports Council International (ACI), customer experience is fast becoming one of the most important tools to differentiate airportsfrom their competitors. The link between emotion and memory explains the importance of an airport to deliver an emotionally enriched experience to surprise the customer. Airports are determining their approaches to enhancepassenger experience once the pandemic subsides and create an environment that will positively impact the confidence to travel, loyalty, retention and deliver increased satisfaction.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has launched facial recognition checkpoints that give passengers a ‘touchless’ transfer through Dubai International. The carrier integrated a “biometric path” into its facilities at DXB for passengers to have a contactless experience when travelling through its terminals. The innovation is aimed at improving traveller flow through the airport by requiring fewer manual document checks and less queuing. The biometric path uses a mixture of facial and iris recognition technology to create a more hygienic, contactless way to move through the airport, by reducing human interaction throughout the process.

Dubai also has in place the world leading passport control facility launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) in partnership with Emirates. The Smart Tunnel lets passengers simply walk through a tunnel to be cleared by immigration officials without human intervention or needing a passport stamp. Emirates is also the first airline outside the US to get approval for biometric boarding and its passengers flying to the US are able to choose to use facial recognition technology at departure gates.

This May,contactless technology will be a key attraction at the world’s largest B2B airport show, held in Dubai annually.Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibitions Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East which is organising the 20^thedition of Airport Show from 24-26 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), says the trend for a contactless passenger experience in airports has rapidly accelerated after the pandemic and several airports including Dubai International stand out. At the world’s largest annual airport event, the latest contactless innovations and airport digital transformations will be at the centre of the eventexperience this year.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the Show will take place across 12,000 square metres of exhibition space with participants expected from 90 countries as the world returns to normalcy. It will have three co-located events: Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), ATC Forum and Airport Security as well as two new conferences focusing on Airport Passengers’ Experience and Airport Digital Transformation.

Dubai Airport, the world’s number one airport for international travellers for the seventh consecutive year, leads in terms of safety and security with the increased use of touchless technology. Airport passengers in DXB are being offered the chance to use their eyes to confirm their identity without the need to show any documents. The system helps control the spread of the new coronavirus as it does not require airport passengers to have contact with other people as it uses a biometric method.  The system takes only five to six seconds to complete the scanning process. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, airport operators now face new challenges in minimizing personal contact, reducing crowds, limiting common access to high-touch surfaces, and preventing terminals from becoming potential virus breeding grounds. 

Airport terminals can no longer have packed check-ins; passengers sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at gate lounges and jostling crowds at baggage carousels.  Technology and real-time monitoring hold the answers to managing social distancing and minimising risks in the new normal. Reducing human and surface contact is the key in the short term as airports across the world slowly begin to unlock.  The global smart airport market size is expected to reach about US$26 billion by 2025, according to a research study.  The global airport services market size is projected to reach US$232.88 billion by 2027. About 97 percent of airlines are working on mobile applications as all essential customer services become contactless. Automated biometric boarding gates are considered a priority by 58 percent of airlines, and are a focus of 64 per cent of airports for both border checks and flight boarding.

source: https://www.cybergear2.com/contactless-technology-adoption-at-airports-gets-accelerated-after-covid-19/

One-stop online platforms

A number of airlines recently launched their own digital platforms that contain all necessary information pre-travel. United Airlines, for instance, unveiled its Travel-Ready Center where customers can review COVID-19 entry requirements, find local testing options and upload any required testing and vaccination records for domestic and international travel. The digital platform is accessible both on the United app and website, and provides customers with a personalised, step-by-step guide of what is needed for their trip.

Similarly, Singapore Airlines introduced a one-stop-shop online portal, as part of a new pilot service launched in partnership with Collinson. Using the online portal, passengers are able to book a pre-departure COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology tests, and receive their results directly on the platform. Customers can make an appointment for a pre-departure test with their preferred clinic from the list of recognised testing facilities available on the online portal, as well as receive their test results directly on the platform, which they can then present upon check-in at the airport. The portal is also able to house digital health passes documenting passengers’ COVID-19 status, such as the IATA Travel Pass.

Following the trials with SIA, low-cost carrier Scoot also launched a partnership with Collinson to introduce the digital platform.

Digital travel concierge

It’s not just airlines that are introducing new digital means to keep passengers informed. Changi Airport Group this week unveiled a new Safe Travel Concierge (STC) for passengers flying into Singapore, offering personalised pre-travel guidance and COVID-19 test booking.

After registering for an STC account, passengers then need to add their upcoming trips. Depending on their profile and trip details, they will be shown a customised list of pre-travel requirements to complete before flying to Singapore. In addition to booking their on-arrival PCR test, passengers can also access services such as the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s electronic Arrival Card and Health Declaration form through STC. Passengers can also stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news on the portal.

CAG’s Managing Director for Airport Operations Management Jayson Goh explained that Changi Airport Group initially trialled the STC prototype at TravelRevive, the first hybrid tradeshow in Singapore, in cooperation with the Singapore Tourism Board.

He explained that the online concierge service can ease the anxiety of air travel by helping passengers navigate their pre-travel requirements.

In a more unusual move, Airbus became the first aircraft manufacturer to launch a new travel companion app, called Tripset. The app aims to provide real-time flight and travel information to passengers. With two interfaces, the app enables passengers to know both currently available flights and the destinations to which they can fly. According to Airbus, Tripset is “airport-, aircraft- and airline-agnostic”. Once a ticket has been purchased, the app also provides passengers with information on what to expect at their departure and arrival destinations.

This is one of the few times Airbus is targeting its offering directly to the consumer, and it would be interesting to see how the aircraft manufacturer is planning to stimulate demand among passengers to download the app, instead of interacting directly with their preferred airline.

Interactive travel maps

In partnership with the Airports Council International (ACI) World, Apple Maps has updated its native Maps app to feature COVID-19 information designed to assist passengers when travelling. Apple Maps on iPhone, iPad and Mac will now show COVID-19 health measure information for over 300 airports worldwide when searched via the app, either through a link to the airport’s own COVID-19 advisory page, or directly on the in-app location card itself. Using information collected from airports through ACI’s web-based Health Measures Portal, ACI data captures new health-related measures implemented at airports in response to COVID-19. More detailed information about the health measures in place at individual airports around the world is also available through ACI’s Check & Fly mobile app and passenger portal. The Check & Fly app provides a way for airports to communicate to passengers directly about what to expect when they plan to travel, helping them to meet any requirements, and making their journeys smoother and more efficient.

“The recovery of air travel will rely on passenger confidence in the industry’s focus on their health and welfare,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira in a press release following the announcement. “Having this information displayed in Apple Maps will help to make this crucial data much more broadly accessible to passengers. This will help passengers to plan their journeys and be reassured that their health and safety remains a priority for the industry as we all work towards a sustained return to operations and global connectivity. Collaboration remains key to a globally coordinated recovery and we are grateful to our members for the partnership we have forged to deliver this important tool that will contribute to the rebuilding of passenger confidence in air travel.”

Delta Air Lines also recently rolled out a new tool, called the Delta Discover Map, in partnership with FTE Startup Hub member xCheck. The digital map allows passengers to easily find the cheapest destinations to fly to, as well as any travel restrictions like quarantine or COVID-19 testing requirements at each destination.

While this influx of travel information mobile apps and digital platforms is certainly good news for passengers, it will be intriguing to observe how well these apps will perform in this rather overcrowded digital travel app space. During the upcoming FTE APEX Virtual Expo, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a number of industry leaders on their strategies to support passengers in the post-COVID-19 world through digital innovation. Find out more here. 

source: https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2021/04/how-airlines-and-airports-are-creating-digital-companions-to-keep-passengers-informed-during-covid-19/?utm_source=Future+Travel+Experience+News&utm_campaign=de8c5e8410-fte_nl_090421&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e5a8fdd64e-de8c5e8410-91950936

• Google on Tuesday announced several new features that are coming to Google Maps.
• The coolest one lets you navigate indoors using augmented reality, which displays arrows and markers on your phone’s screen to show you exactly where to go.
• Google’s big maps update also includes other features that will roll out in the coming months.

Google on Tuesday announced several new features that are coming to the Google Maps app. The coolest one will help you find your way through indoor spaces like airports, malls and train stations using augmented reality.

The updated Live View AR feature, which overlays digital guides on top of the real world to provide directions as you look through your phone’s display, now works indoors. So, say you’re in an airport and need to find your gate or an ATM. You search for what you’re looking for in Google Maps and markers will guide you with arrows and other digital indicators.

Here’s an example: check on the source

Live View for Google Maps first launched for Android and iPhone in 2019, but it initially only provided these sorts of directions outdoors. You can access Live View by searching for something in Google maps on your phone, tapping “Directions” and then, when available, tapping the “Live View” option next to “Start.”

Google said it’s first rolling out in some malls in Chicago, Long Island, New York, Los Angeles, Newark, New Jersey, San Francisco, San Jose, California, and Seattle. In the coming months, it will also launch in airports, malls and transit stations in Tokyo and Zurich. Other cities and locations will eventually support the feature, too.

Google’s big maps update also includes other features that will roll out in the coming months, like air quality information, integration with grocery stores for curbside pickup, and an option to select the most eco-friendly route when driving.

source : https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/30/google-maps-launches-augmented-reality-directions-for-indoor-spaces.html

By Abigail Klein Leichman  MARCH 22, 2021, 8:20 AM

Alongside the x-ray machines that scrutinize our luggage at every airport in the world, we may soon see machines that provide 99.99% disinfection from germs on carry-on and checked bags.

Israeli biohazard disinfection startup WarpUV plans to start delivering AirFort machines this year to help airports contain the spread of bacteria, spores and the viruses that cause the common cold, seasonal influenza, Covid-19 and viruses yet to come.

“Biosecurity has become an urgent and critical staple of airport security since the Covid-19 containment shut down the vast majority of air traffic,” says WarpUV CEO and cofounder Amir Fischer, a serial entrepreneur who spent four years in airline and airport security at London Heathrow airport.

“Along with vaccinations and Covid-19 testing, disinfection of passenger luggage can ensure a safer air travel experience and help prevent future local outbreaks before they become global pandemics,” he says.

Ultraviolet disinfection in 30 seconds

WarpUV’s AirFort technology was created in-house and tested in Tel Aviv University’s microbial pathogenesis laboratory headed by Prof. Anat Herskovits. She also serves as WarpUV’s head of microbiology.

It takes less than 30 seconds for AirFort’s proprietary 3D array of ultraviolet lights to disinfect surface contamination from carry-on and checked bags, personal items and oversized bags and parcels before they enter an airport concourse or the plane’s cargo hold.

Speed will become essential when the volume of traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels, Fischer says, noting that other luggage disinfecting technologies in the pipeline take up to 30 minutes as opposed to 30 seconds.

“And it’s this speed that makes AirFort practical for handling the massive passenger volumes at major airports,” he says.Illustration of WarpUV’s AirFort luggage disinfection system. Image courtesy of WarpUV

In 2019, 17,500 commercial airports served more than 925 million passengers on nearly 39 million flights.

“With each passenger carrying one or two pieces of luggage onto planes annually, air travel remains one of the most vulnerable means for spreading airborne infectious diseases,” Fischer says.

“If you think about the multiple people who may touch the same pieces of luggage at an airport, just one infected worker or passenger who handled that bag could spread a virus far and wide,” Fischer tells ISRAEL21c.

Potential source of exposure

The US Departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, and Health and Human Services issued joint guidelines that categorize carry-on items, baggage, and luggage as a biohazard threat.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have also classified these items as a risk of contamination, and not only related to Covid-19.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the general risk to baggage handlers is low, but “potential sources of exposure could include surfaces touched or handled by a person with Covid-19 or by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.”

Fischer notes that baggage handlers at several airports became infected with Covid-19, in some cases forcing shutdowns.

“When looking at published data, only about 80% of infections are from known exposure to Covid-19 patients. If 20% of infections can be prevented using Warp AirFort technology, it’s a major step toward eradicating virus spread.”

Deployment in 5 airports

“Our plan is to begin deployment in five airports in 2021 and expand to more airports as quickly as we can build the machines,” says Fischer.

AirFort units will be installed in conjunction with existing luggage x-ray machines and on the incoming luggage conveyor and inbound checkpoints.

“The AirFort devices are designed to meet airports’ passenger flow – inbound and outbound– so we expect there will be a need for at least double the number of x-ray machines in airports,” Fischer says.

“WarpUV understands the current challenging financial climate in the air travel industry, and so we created a business model that offers two alternatives for the deployment of the devices,” he adds.

Airports may buy the devices outright via a purchase and service level agreement (SLA) or opt for a Machine as a Service (MaaS) model in which the airport is charged a small fee per passenger that could be covered by a ticket surcharge.

Fischer reports “a great deal of interest” in the AirFort devices.

“With access to nearly 100 airports via two leading industry distributors, WarpUV already has deals underway representing more than $100 million in revenue,” he says.

The company was formed in 2020 by Fischer along with Eitan Haimovich and Gil Luxenbourg.

For more information, click here

source: https://www.israel21c.org/30-second-baggage-disinfection-coming-to-airports/

Credit: TAV Airports – Skopje International Airport (SKP).

It soon became clear that this pandemic could not pass by without causing dramatic changes”

With 2020 having passed by in a flash, we were all convinced that it would be a period that would pass, and that we would soon comfortably get back to our travel routines and day-to-day activities. But it soon became clear that this pandemic could not pass by without causing dramatic changes to the spontaneous lifestyle that we have enjoyed for decades. We were not ready for the enormity of such challenges over such a long period of time, and we can still not even anticipate when this will all come to an end.

Looking to the future

We can view 2021 and the following years ahead from the below hypothetical perspective:

2021

During the course of 2021, we are going to effectively and efficiently understand and learn how to continue with our day-to-day activities, travels and journeys amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The availability and implementation of passenger antigen tests, rapid PCR tests and so on will, at some point, enable travel from one country to another. Since some countries have already implemented it as a requirement, we hope that this will quickly become common practice

By 2022, we can anticipate that vaccines are in place and rapid tests are still applicable and ongoing. With agreed and coordinated regulations and recommendations applied and in force, passengers are gradually regaining the necessary confidence to travel again. The year 2022 would most likely mark the start of a recovery period.

2023
The recovery rate would rapidly increase, especially throughout the 2023 summer season, when more and more travellers would feel comfortable to fly again, while visiting their favourite destination countries. During 2023, passenger tests are still applicable, while vaccine distribution and vaccine availability largely increased throughout the globe.

According to published information from Eurocontrol, we will see a full recovery by 2026.

While the world is rapidly adapting to the new normal, airports and airlines have implemented the necessary health and safety measures to ensure safety and comfort for their customers.

A new reality for passengers
A year ago, waiting in queues, gathering in groups and crowded areas and even being uncomfortable at security screening checkpoints was very common at airports. Back then, processing time was probably one of the main concerns for passengers.

With new habits established, passenger awareness has reached a different level”

With the pandemic in place, habits have changed and shifted in a completely different direction. Passengers are now avoiding crowded areas and queues. Nowadays, passengers are more observant, looking out for signage and guidance. Observation shows that duty free shopping notes a significant decline and that impulse shopping behaviour has vanished for now due to COVID-19. In addition, food and beverage courts are left empty.

With new habits established, passenger awareness has reached a different level. Namely, passengers are more inclined to use online check-in and self-check-in kiosks. Overall, they are more willing to use technology; even the unsecure traveller, who feels the need to have every single step of his journey pre-approved by any airport ID holder who is crossing his/her way. Now, even they are observing signage in more detail and are refrain from close contact and asking questions which they could figure out themselves.

What airports can do
Airports have demonstrated that they are ready to keep the pandemic under control, with all necessary standards, recommendations and requirements implemented and applied, ensuring that travellers can have a safe journey, from the airport building entrance, to boarding and accommodating their seats in the plane. These actions include:

Indicating the level of cleanliness, while making it visible, is a positive factor
Temperature screening points at the airport entrance (for both departing and arriving passengers)
Hand sanitisers are available across the airport, especially near and within the areas with frequently touched surfaces
There are signs and guidance, as well as public announcements and reminders for the passengers to wear protective masks, to keep physical distance and to frequently wash their hands
Only passengers are allowed to enter the terminal building, but not the ‘meeters and greeters’. This way, airports are providing confidence and comfort to both travellers and employees.
According to the 2020 ACI Global Traveller Survey Report, which was published by Airports Council International (ACI) in November 2020, the majority of travellers responded that the applied COVID-19 health and safety measures should remain in effect long after the decline of the coronavirus pandemic, especially:

ping all measures in place is certainly a confidence driver and a guarantee that the airport is a safe place for its customer, the passenger.

Employee wellbeing

It is not only signage and the option of a contactless experience that will help passengers to feel at ease, but the service provided by each individual working in the aviation system”

The most important part, which certainly plays a key role in regaining traveller confidence, are the airports and airlines’ employees. It is not only signage and the option of a contactless experience that will help passengers to feel at ease, but the service provided by each individual working in the aviation system. Employee focus has shifted from engagement to safety.

The frontline staff, or employees whose work duties require closer passenger contact, and those employees who are generally exposed throughout high passenger traffic must be ensured that they are safe at work. This can be achieved through effective communication and applied occupational health and safety standards. In order for them to be fully engaged, this motivation is a necessity. Employees must also be made aware that they should stay at home in case they have been exposed to, or have been in contact with, an infected person.

The airports and airlines’ top priority must be the health and safety of their employees, since, without their full engagement, it cannot be expected for passengers to feel comfortable and confident while travelling by air.

Another way to provide positivity throughout the process is to provide the necessary tools to airport and airline employees, such as ID badges showing their faces (since protective masks are covering their facial expressions).

Touchless or seamless travel

Airports have developed the possibility for passengers to check-in, drop-off their baggage and move from departure area to the boarding airside area with self-service available. Not all airports have reached such a level yet, but self-service is now required to transit from self-service to a contactless service. It is yet another concern of passengers to use touch screens, or self-service kiosks. A study in 2018 found that the dirtiest points in passengers’ journeys were not the toilets, but the check-in touchscreens. For that reason, it is important that hand sanitisers are available at locations where the passengers are required to interact with physical touch, or until touchless or contactless travel is in place.

source : https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/154897/passenger-experience-expectations-covid-19/

source : https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/154897/passenger-experience-expectations-covid-19/