Ruth Haines
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation industry, with airports and airlines implementing various safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures include social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, the installation of glass shields and sanitizer stations, and the disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and vehicles. Screening procedures, such as temperature checks and travel history inquiries, have also been introduced at many airports. While the specific protocols may vary across different airports and countries, the overall priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and staff amid the public health crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety measures taken by airports | Screening passengers, providing hand sanitizers, enforcing social distancing, disinfecting surfaces, installing glass shields at counters, and requiring masks |
| Airline precautions | Disinfecting planes, offering hazardous-material suits to crew, reducing the number of passengers per trip, and cancelling/rescheduling flights |
| Government actions | Imposing travel advisories and bans, recommending Universal Protection Kits for crew, and implementing vaccination requirements for noncitizen travellers |
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What You'll Learn
Social distancing and mask-wearing
Passengers are also required to wear masks at all times and to sanitise their hands regularly, especially after touching any documents, money, or surfaces. Airports have installed glass shields at counters and sanitiser stations throughout the airport to facilitate these measures. In addition, all items touched during security checks are wiped with disinfectant, and counters are closed 15 minutes before boarding to allow for thorough sanitisation of the aircraft before the next group of passengers boards.
These measures have been implemented in airports worldwide, including some of the busiest international airports. For example, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued guidance that federally obligated airports remain safe and open to the public and aircraft during the COVID-19 crisis. The FAA continues to expect all airports to operate safely and maintain their operations.
Screening procedures have also been implemented in many airports, with international passengers undergoing additional checks such as temperature screenings and inquiries about their travel history. These measures aim to identify potentially infected individuals and prevent the spread of the virus through travel. As of November 8, 2021, the United States also requires noncitizen, non-immigrant air travellers to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status.
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Screening and testing
In the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, several international airports began implementing preventive safety measures. For example, Turkey started screening at major airports using thermal cameras, including Istanbul Airport. Additionally, Canadian airports such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver announced that international passengers would undergo additional screening, including temperature checks and inquiries about their travel history to high-risk areas. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended that airlines provide Universal Protection Kits to crew members flying to and from affected countries.
Some airports have taken additional measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff. For instance, Buddha Air has implemented precautionary steps such as mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, the installation of glass shields at counters, and the availability of sanitizer stalls. They also disinfect all items touched by passengers and enforce social distancing in queues and on ramp buses.
The United States has also imposed travel restrictions and screening measures. As of November 8, 2021, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the United States are required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status. The definition of "fully vaccinated" is provided by the CDC and varies depending on the vaccine received. There are limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals traveling for emergency or humanitarian reasons or from countries with low vaccine availability.
These screening and testing protocols are subject to change as the pandemic evolves and local authorities adjust their responses to manage the spread of COVID-19 effectively.
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Sanitization and disinfection
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused airports and airlines to implement various safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures include social distancing, sanitization, and disinfection.
At the airport, passengers are advised to maintain a distance of one meter from each other while standing in queues and waiting to check in. Additionally, passengers are required to wear masks and sanitize their hands frequently, especially after touching documents, doorknobs, or money. Airports have installed sanitizer stalls at various ports to facilitate this. Furthermore, protective glass shields have been added to counters to reduce the risk of infection during interactions between passengers and staff.
Full precautions are also being taken at check-in counters, with every item touched being rubbed with disinfectants. Before boarding, passengers form queues with social distancing measures in place and are advised to report to the airport earlier than usual. The ramp buses that transport passengers are disinfected after every use, and they carry fewer passengers per trip to maintain social distancing.
Some countries have implemented screening procedures at airports, including thermal cameras and temperature checks for arriving international passengers. Additional symptomatic checks and inquiries about recent travel history may also be conducted. The US, for example, imposed a ban on foreigners with a recent travel history to China during the early stages of the pandemic. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended that airlines provide Universal Protection Kits to crew flying to and from affected countries.
Airlines have also taken measures to address the coronavirus situation. For instance, Turkish Airlines initially cancelled flights to China and extended this suspension until the end of February 2020. Hong Kong-based airlines Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines allowed passengers booked to/from Wuhan to reschedule their trips for free.
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Travel advisories and restrictions
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020. This declaration highlighted the importance of proper guidance and resources for planning domestic and international operations. As of November 8, 2021, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travellers to the United States must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status. The CDC provides guidelines on the definition of "fully vaccinated". There are limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals, including those travelling for emergency or humanitarian reasons and those on non-tourist visas from countries with low vaccine availability.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the FAA issued guidance to airport sponsors, stating that its primary concern was to keep federally obligated airports safe and open to the public and aircraft. The FAA expected all airports to remain operational and addressed requests to close or restrict aeronautical activity on a case-by-case basis.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, major international airports implemented safety measures. For example, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines allowed passengers to reschedule trips to/from Wuhan for free. Turkish Airlines initially cancelled flights to China until February and later extended this. Turkey also adopted safety measures across its ports and offered hazardous-material suits to airline crews flying to and from South Korean airports, in addition to increased disinfection of planes. Three European airports with direct flights to Wuhan (London, Rome, and Paris) were affected. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended that airlines provide Universal Protection Kits to crew flying to/from affected countries.
Several airports in the US and Canada implemented additional screening measures for international passengers, including temperature checks and inquiries about visits to high-risk areas. The US also imposed a ban on foreigners with a recent travel history to China. Social distancing and sanitization measures were implemented at airports such as Buddha Air, with passengers required to wear masks and maintain a one-metre distance in queues. Disinfectants were used on frequently touched surfaces, and hand sanitizer stations were installed.
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Vaccination requirements
As of March 11, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons to remove the COVID-19 vaccination from the list of required vaccinations for immigrants seeking admission to the United States. Therefore, documentation of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination is not required for any immigration medical examinations associated with adjustment of status applications pending on or after January 20, 2025.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is an advisory committee to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that recommends immunizations for the general US population. When the ACIP recommends new vaccines for the general US population, the CDC assesses whether these vaccines should be required for immigration purposes on a regular and as-needed basis according to specific criteria set by the CDC. The CDC is responsible for publishing the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons, which set the requirements for the immigration medical examination and are binding on civil surgeons.
The Technical Instructions include a vaccination component, specifying how the civil surgeon must conduct the vaccination assessment. The Technical Instructions also include a list of vaccines that are required for immigrants, as well as any other vaccinations recommended by the ACIP. The CDC decides which vaccines are required for immigration purposes based on specific criteria: the vaccine must be age-appropriate and recommended by the ACIP for the general US population, and it must protect against a disease that has been or is in the process of being eliminated in the United States.
For refugees applying for adjustment of status, health department physicians may complete only the vaccination record portion of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Under US immigration laws, an individual who applies for an immigrant visa or seeks to adjust their status to that of a lawful permanent resident while in the United States is required to receive vaccinations to prevent certain diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports around the world have implemented various safety measures to tackle the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include social distancing, sanitization, and disinfection of high-touch surfaces. Some airports have installed glass shields at counters and sanitizer stalls throughout the airport. Additionally, many airports have introduced screening measures, such as temperature checks and inquiries about recent travel history.
While airports have implemented several safety measures, the level of risk may vary depending on the location and the number of cases in the area. It is essential to follow local guidelines and stay informed about the COVID-19 situation in your region.
To stay safe at the airport, it is recommended to follow the precautionary steps advised by the airport and local health authorities. This includes wearing masks, maintaining social distance, frequent hand sanitization, and adhering to any travel restrictions or requirements, such as providing proof of vaccination or negative test results.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted air travel, with many countries imposing travel restrictions and safety measures. Some airlines have reduced or cancelled flights to affected areas, and passengers may need to undergo additional screening or present proof of vaccination or negative test results before travelling. It is advisable to check the latest travel advisories and guidelines before planning any air travel.
