Question

. How should airport react to the COVID-19 outbreak? Discuss the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to run the airport during COVID-19

Answer 1

The unexpected effects of COVID-19 have striked the aviation industry very badly. The airport authority should follow the COVID guidelines in order to operate, request the passengers to keep patience and follow procedures made for them.

It should change its management procedure according to the situation to operate flight service successfully. There is a drastic fall in flight demands that leads to decline in revenues, in this situation the airport authority should implement the appropriate concepts while reducing costs for a short period of time. It should take required number of personnel and redesign the processes for different use of airport infrastructure. Along with this, it is the duty of airport authority to ensure the health of passengers and staff and ready for the fight against this pandemic situation. It should maintain social distancing, staff and passenger protection, sanitization of airport and planes.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to run the airport during COVID-19 :

1) Passengers need to install the Aarogya Setu app on their phone and it will be verified by the airport staff or security personnel deployed at the entrance part. Passengers are allowed to enter only when they have a green signal on their app.

2) Passengers are asked to wear masks and gloves to protect themselves from infection.

3) It is compulsory for the passengers to walk through thermal screening zone before entering airport terminal building.

4) There should be proper arrangement by the airport authority for the sanitisation of passengers' baggage before entry into terminal building.

5) Parking areas should be strictly monitored by the security officer in coordination with traffic police to stop congestion and follow social distancing.

6) Passengers have been asked to reach airport two hours before the scheduled time of departure of their flights.

7) The airport operators should take measures to maintain social distancing at airports.

8) After reaching the destination state, passengers will have to abide by the guidelines laid down by the concerned state.