FSF Publishes ‘Golden Rules’ for Air Passengers to Reduce COVID-19 Risk

BRUSSELS — Airline passengers have a crucial role to play in reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection during air travel, Fight Safety Foundation said today in releasing “New Norms in Air Travel Hygiene Etiquette: The Passenger’s Role in Sustaining a Healthy Environment.”

The 28-page document, which was developed by Foundation advisory committee members drawing on expertise from health and regulatory organizations, outlines new norms and procedures to be followed by passengers and other industry stakeholders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be found here.

 “Air passengers have a crucial role in reducing the risk of infection for themselves, other travelers and airline, airport, security and other personnel they will come in contact with during their journeys,” said Dr. Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Foundation. “Airlines, airports and governments are doing everything they can to create a healthy air travel ecosystem, and passengers play a crucial part in sustaining a healthy environment.” The Foundation will be working with international organizations and travel agencies to educate passengers in the coming months.

It is important that before starting their travel, passengers familiarize themselves with the rules and procedures in place at all the airports and on all the airlines they plan to use. In addition, they should arrive at the airport properly equipped with personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer and/or wipes, and an appreciation for the fact that check-in, boarding, deplaning and checked bag retrieval likely will take longer than they did before the pandemic because of the need for physical distancing.

“New Norms in Air Travel Hygiene Etiquette” lays out what passengers can expect — and what is expected of them — through every step of the air travel journey, from arriving at the airport at their point of origin, to departing the airport at their final destination.

The document also includes a list of “golden rules” for all stakeholders to follow, a sample passenger charter that outlines what is expected of passengers and what they can expect from airline and airport staff, and a series of checklists that can be detached and used by various stakeholders.

“A healthy environment and reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection is everyone’s responsibility,” Shahidi said. “And it’s essential that we all work together.”

For more information on Flight Safety Foundation’s COVID-19 resources, go here.