Airports' Strategies For Battling Coronavirus: A Comprehensive Overview

Airports and airlines have been taking steps to protect staff and passengers from the coronavirus. These steps include cancelling flights, increasing surveillance, checking passengers from affected areas, and screening passengers with thermal scanners. Some airports have also implemented health screening for arriving passengers, while others have improved cleaning and disinfection procedures. In the early days of the pandemic, when vaccines were not yet available, avoiding the virus was one of the only defences against it.

Increased surveillance and health screening

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, airports around the world have implemented a range of measures to protect the health and safety of their staff and passengers. One of the most prominent measures has been increased surveillance and health screening of travellers.

Many airports have increased surveillance measures and health screenings to identify potentially infected individuals and prevent the spread of the virus. For example, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharak International Airport has increased surveillance, and Delhi Airport staff are checking inbound passengers from affected areas. In Australia, health authorities are assisting staff in monitoring travellers returning from high-risk areas, while Indonesia has implemented precautionary measures such as screening international passengers with thermal scanners and requiring airlines to provide health documents and manifests upon landing.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented health screening for arrivals at airports in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. The CDC closely monitored the outbreak and conducted ongoing investigations into the situation. Similarly, the Houston Health Department, in conjunction with the CDC and other public health officials, continued to monitor the outbreak and ensure the protection of the community through existing protocols at Houston's international arrivals terminals.

China also announced plans to conduct nationwide screening and improve monitoring of transportation links during the Lunar New Year holidays, a period of high travel volume. Other major hubs, such as London Heathrow, have also implemented monitoring procedures for passengers disembarking from flights originating in high-risk areas.

These increased surveillance and health screening measures at airports play a crucial role in identifying potentially infected individuals, preventing the spread of the virus, and protecting the health and safety of travellers and the general public.

Cancellation of flights to/from high-risk areas

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation industry, with travel restrictions and a sharp decline in demand from travellers. This has resulted in numerous flight cancellations and suspensions, as airlines attempt to mitigate their losses.

In the initial stages of the pandemic, several countries implemented travel restrictions and suspended flights to and from high-risk areas. For instance, the United States suspended all flights from China to Houston from 2nd February 2020. Similarly, India's Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharak International Airport increased surveillance measures, with Delhi Airport staff checking all inbound passengers from affected regions. Australia also took proactive steps, with health authorities assisting staff in monitoring travellers returning from high-risk areas, such as Wuhan.

As the pandemic progressed, more drastic measures were taken. In March 2020, Emirates Airlines and over 20 other airlines suspended their operations entirely, leading to a 100% cancellation rate. This was particularly true for flights to and from Italy, where the outbreak and subsequent national lockdown resulted in thousands of flight cancellations. Additionally, all international flights to Mauritius were suspended from March 2020, and Nepal banned all aircraft, except humanitarian flights, from entering or leaving the country.

The impact of these cancellations was substantial, causing significant revenue losses for airlines. The aviation industry experienced a severe recession compared to other sectors, and many airlines were forced to lay off employees or even declare bankruptcy. The number of travellers through Dubai International Airport, a major tourism hub, dropped to 25.9 million in 2020, a significant reduction from previous years.

Overall, the cancellation of flights to and from high-risk areas was a critical strategy employed by airports and governments worldwide to control the spread of COVID-19. These measures, while disruptive to travel plans and the aviation industry, were deemed necessary to protect public health and safety.

Cleaning and disinfection

In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, airports around the world have implemented various cleaning and disinfection measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff. Here are some of the key actions taken:

Hong Kong's Airport Authority announced that arriving planes from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, would be parked in a designated area, and a cleaning contractor would be responsible for disinfecting the terminal. They also committed to intensifying cleaning and disinfection procedures across the entire airport. This included the use of cleaning contractors to ensure thorough sanitation.

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharak International Airport and Delhi Airport in India have increased their surveillance measures and are diligently checking inbound passengers from affected areas.

In Australia, health authorities are working closely with aviation staff to monitor travellers returning from Wuhan, providing an extra layer of precaution.

Indonesia's airports and airlines have been instructed to screen international passengers with thermal scanners and provide health documents and manifests after landing, as mandated by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Polana Pramesti.

Similarly, Vietnam has installed equipment to measure body temperature at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, with plans to increase monitoring during the Lunar New Year holidays when travel significantly increases.

These comprehensive cleaning and disinfection protocols demonstrate the proactive approach adopted by airports worldwide to combat the spread of the coronavirus and safeguard the well-being of travellers and employees alike.

Health authorities monitoring travellers

Health authorities are employing various strategies to monitor travellers and curb the spread of coronavirus. In India, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharak International Airport has heightened surveillance measures, with Delhi Airport staff checking inbound passengers from affected areas. Similarly, in Australia, health authorities are assisting aviation personnel in monitoring travellers entering the country from high-risk areas like Wuhan. This includes utilising thermal scanners to screen passengers for potential symptoms.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented health screening for arrivals at major airports, including those in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. The CDC is closely monitoring the outbreak and conducting ongoing investigations. The Houston Health Department, in conjunction with the CDC and other public health officials, is also actively monitoring the situation and ensuring the protection of the community through existing protocols at Houston's international arrivals terminals.

Other countries are also implementing measures to detect and prevent the spread of the virus. For example, Vietnam has installed equipment to measure body temperature and enhance monitoring at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, especially during periods of increased travel, such as the Lunar New Year holidays. Indonesia has also instructed airports and airlines to conduct precautionary screenings of international passengers using thermal scanners and provide the necessary health documentation.

These measures by health authorities and airport officials are crucial in identifying potentially infected travellers and preventing the further spread of the coronavirus. By utilising thermal scanners, increasing surveillance, and conducting health screenings, they can detect symptoms like fever and take appropriate action to protect both travellers and the wider community.

Screening passengers with thermal scanners

Thermal scanners placed in airports can identify passengers with high external body temperatures, which is one of the symptoms of COVID-19. This method of screening was implemented in various countries, including India, Nepal, and Vietnam. In 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNICEF supported the Government of India in installing 61 thermal scanners at 26 international airports and 9 seaports. Similarly, Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal also installed thermal scanners for passengers arriving from all countries, not just China. In Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, equipment to measure body temperature was put in place to screen passengers.

However, thermal scanners are not foolproof. A CNN investigation revealed that by mid-February, more than 30,000 passengers had been screened in the US without detecting any cases, but at least four of these passengers later contracted coronavirus. A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that out of every 100 infected travellers taking a 12-hour flight, 42 would go through both entry and exit screening without being detected. This is due to the virus's incubation period of up to 14 days, during which individuals may not exhibit any symptoms. Additionally, doctors noted that if a passenger takes medicine before boarding, their temperature may not be accurately reflected in the thermal scanners.

Despite these limitations, thermal scanners are still considered a critical intervention in preventing the spread of COVID-19. They save time and prevent crowding compared to handheld thermal guns. Furthermore, they can detect passengers with possible COVID-19 infections, allowing authorities to take necessary precautions, such as isolation and further medical evaluation.

To enhance the effectiveness of thermal scanners, some airports implemented additional measures. For example, Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal installed an air conditioner in the health desk area, as thermal scanners work best in air-conditioned environments. Moreover, passengers arriving from China received cards informing them of the symptoms to watch out for and advising them to monitor their temperature regularly. These measures, combined with thermal scanning, contribute to a comprehensive strategy to identify and manage potential COVID-19 cases at airports.

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