With more than 100 million people vaccinated in the United States, an increasing number of Americans looking to escape a year’s confinement at home are booking airline tickets, despite warnings from public health officials that travel should still be avoided.
With very low rates of in-flight transmission, airlines have been steadfast in asserting the safety and hygiene of air travel during the pandemic.
But with the increase in travelers – many of whom can spend more time on land than on airplanes – are the country’s airports equipped to handle the crowd?
The Transportation Security Administration tracked more than 1 million passengers a day last week, an increase of more than 27 percent over the previous three weeks. While this is positive news for the airline industry, whose passenger traffic dropped 60% last year, it could be the start of a logistical challenge for airports.
“The crisis is not over, but we are certainly seeing what appears to be the beginning of a huge increase,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said at a JPMorgan Chase virtual conference on Monday.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly echoed this optimism at a Washington Post event after the conference, saying, “With the number of vaccines increasing and the number of cases decreasing, there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel.”
Airports have a vital role to play in stopping the spread of coronavirus, according to a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health TH Chan, which said that “ventilation, physical distance, behavior and other issues may need more attention”, as the number of travelers increases.
The science-based risk and precautions already in place to combat the spread of coronavirus “contribute significantly to reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission at airports,” the study said. However, “if you must fly, or choose to fly, you must make a Covid plan that includes recommendations for passengers” outlined in the report.
Sensors can assess queues in the areas of security, customs and immigration, signaling the need for adjustments to the ventilation system.
An obvious but important piece of this plan is to wear a mask. It is mandatory by the federal government at all airports, even with the lifting of rules in some states. Another is the rapid viral test at airports, which can “quickly and efficiently identify those with infections and prevent them from carrying out activities that could expose others, including potential travel,” the report said.
The study urges airports to continue using only cleaning agents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to manually disinfect surfaces, and notes that some of the electrostatic spraying and ultraviolet disinfection devices that are being launched are still being evaluated for effectiveness.
“The number of air changes per hour suitable for comfort needs may be insufficient to protect against airborne infections, especially in congested areas,” said the researchers.
Passengers should also expect new technologies at airports, including smartphone apps that can alert them when it is their turn to undergo security screening.
“Once beyond the security checkpoint, travelers can receive a boarding notification ‘at the right time’, avoiding congestion in the gate area,” said the study. “Sensors can assess queues in the areas of security, customs and immigration, signaling the need for adjustments to the ventilation system”.
Health experts recommend that passengers hold their luggage instead of checking it in – which avoids having to face a sea of strangers on the baggage carousel when landing – but if suitcases need to be checked, travelers should use airline applications , which will allow contactless delivery to the baggage kiosks.
Ultimately, passengers have their own role to play in preventing the spread of the virus during their travels.
“Airports will continue to communicate these important messages to their passengers and workers,” said Scott Elmore, spokesman for the International Airport Council for North America.
Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which oversees Pittsburgh’s aviation, said: “It doesn’t matter how clean the plane is if the airport is not clean and healthy. The entire industry is interrelated.”