Airport Alert: TSA, Industry Highlight Efforts To Protect Public Health and Safety Over the Thanksgiving Holiday
November 19, 2020
This morning, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli participated in a media roundtable with Transportation Security Administration Administrator, David Pekoske; Airlines for America President and CEO, Nick Calio; and Airports Council International – North America President and CEO, Kevin Burke to discuss efforts that industry and the government have undertaken to keep passengers healthy, safe and secure while traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday. TSA estimates that daily passenger volumes may exceed one million on several days between November 24 and December 2 but noted that travel forecasts are challenging due to the coronavirus pandemic, community restrictions, and last-minute ticket purchases.
Hauptli highlighted that airports are working in partnership with the aviation industry and the federal government to keep everyone healthy and safe throughout their journey. He noted that airports are focusing on intensive surface sanitization and disinfection efforts as well as enhancing ventilation and air filtration. AAAE has partnered with the Global Bio-risk Advisory Council to recognize airports that provide the highest levels of cleanliness in their facilities to minimize the risk from coronavirus and other infectious diseases. To date, more than 45 airports have either been accredited or are in the process of receiving this 'star rating.' Additionally, airports are continuously looking for and proactively deploying innovative solutions to enhance public health in the long-term. AAAE has developed the Airport Consortium on Customer Trust program aimed at identifying and deploying new, innovative technologies like touchless solutions, biometrics, and virtual queuing.
In response to questions about whether there is any effort to discourage people from traveling as some public health and government officials have urged, Pekoske, Calio, Hauptli, and Burke emphasized that the safety of people who choose to travel and air crews is always a top priority. They also repeatedly stressed that individuals who decide to travel should:
Hauptli highlighted that airports are working in partnership with the aviation industry and the federal government to keep everyone healthy and safe throughout their journey. He noted that airports are focusing on intensive surface sanitization and disinfection efforts as well as enhancing ventilation and air filtration. AAAE has partnered with the Global Bio-risk Advisory Council to recognize airports that provide the highest levels of cleanliness in their facilities to minimize the risk from coronavirus and other infectious diseases. To date, more than 45 airports have either been accredited or are in the process of receiving this 'star rating.' Additionally, airports are continuously looking for and proactively deploying innovative solutions to enhance public health in the long-term. AAAE has developed the Airport Consortium on Customer Trust program aimed at identifying and deploying new, innovative technologies like touchless solutions, biometrics, and virtual queuing.
In response to questions about whether there is any effort to discourage people from traveling as some public health and government officials have urged, Pekoske, Calio, Hauptli, and Burke emphasized that the safety of people who choose to travel and air crews is always a top priority. They also repeatedly stressed that individuals who decide to travel should:
- Know what to expect before traveling. Airports, airlines, and TSA all have specific COVID-19 related travel guidance and tips on their websites. Review these beforehand.
- Understand any pandemic-related rules or restrictions for your final travel destination as well as what is expected when you return home. Due to increasing infection rates in many communities across the United States, local policies on ways to contain the spread of the virus vary.
- Wear a mask throughout the journey to prevent further spread of the virus.
