As countries across the globe implement temporary measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, IATA has called for global mutual recognition in order to facilitate the safe operation of civil aviation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on regulators to take urgent action in order to help the civil aviation sector operate seamlessly and safely between states during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to help facilitate the restart of the industry once the virus has been contained.
Specifically, IATA has asked states to take the following immediate steps:
Work with the aviation industry in finding temporary measures to ensure that licenses and certificates critical to managing aviation safety are extended in order to remain valid
File their temporary measures with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Recognise the measures of other states that are filed with ICAO.
Many aviation regulators around the globe have already taken the necessary steps to provide airlines and licensed crew members with the necessary flexibility – such as extensions to the validity periods for licenses, ratings and certificates – so that operational capabilities can continue to be maintained.
However, in order to be effective, these measures must be filed with ICAO so that they can be visible to and recognised by counterpart states. Without mutual recognition, as IATA has called for, airlines are faced with uncertainty over whether or not they might be restricted by the states whose territory they enter.
IATA’s Senior Vice President of Safety and Flight Operations, Gilberto Lopez Meyer, said: “Safety is always the top priority. We, therefore, commend ICAO for their swift action to facilitate the sharing of states’ temporary regulatory extensions, making it easier for states to extend their mutual recognition.”
At present, many of the world’s aviation regulators are not able to perform their standard administration of various licenses as their operations have also been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. In order to not further impede global aviation, ICAO has established the COVID-19 Contingency Related Differences (CCRD) system. This enables all states to record any differences to their standard policies and to make a clear statement that they accept other states’ differences through a new form. This will ensure the safe continuity of flights between countries in a harmonised, documented process.
Proposals to help the City of Lawton, some of its related entities and its customers respond to COVID-19 will top the agenda when the City Council meets today.
The session will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Lawton City Hall, Southwest 9th and C.
As has been the norm since mid-March, the agenda will include discussions of city activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic: specifically, actions Lawton is taking to contain the spread of the virus.
Topping the list is approval for two city entities — Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport and the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) — to apply for grants under the national CARES Act passed by Congress to provide economic help to entities facing economic impacts because of changes forced by the pandemic.
The airport is seeking $1,197,853 for operational expenses, an amount sufficient to provide 100 percent federal share (meaning, no local funding is necessary) to cover airport operations for a year. In addition, LATS managers will file an application seeking $4,524,945 for transit operations, sufficient to provide 100 percent federal share for all projects related to transit operation for the next 15-18 months. Typically, the City of Lawton funds half of LATS’ operating budget, with other percentage shares of projects such as new equipment and facilities.
Both entities have faced revenue losses due to fewer customers using their services. Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport has fewer flights (only one or two) per day and also is facing revenue losses from tenants (such as car rental agencies) who pay a percent of their revenues to the airport but who also are not operating.
LATS still is operating, but is restricting the number of passengers that may ride its buses at one time and running fewer routes, while offering free rides since early April.
In another change related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward 6 Councilman Sean Fortenbaugh has asked the city manager to look at late fees, charges and penalties normally assessed under city code, to see which can be suspended during the city’s Civil Emergency Proclamation.
In his agenda commentary, Fortenbaugh said the pandemic is having a negative impact on businesses and he wanted to see what kind of relief the City of Lawton might be able to provide city businesses. His request asks the council to direct city staff to survey late fees, charges and penalties normally charged. City officials already have taken some actions to help alleviate problems for residents, including last month’s suspension of disconnections of water accounts for lack of payment.
Any other actions the council may consider will be included under an agenda item that has become standard on council agendas since March 16, when the Civil Emergency Proclamation was first issued. The agenda item allows the council to discuss the status of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the City of Lawton, including the Civil Emergency Proclamation issued by Mayor Stan Booker.
Last week, Booker and Mayor Pro Tem/Ward 4 Councilman Jay Burk issued a proclamation amendment saying Lawton would follow the three-phase plan to reopen the state announced last week by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Following Stitt’s directives this week would allow indoor dining at restaurants, sporting venues, gymnasiums and movie theaters to reopen Friday, as well as allowing churches to reopen for in-person meetings or worship. Those openings are based on strict criteria that the businesses/entities must follow.
Council members indicated last week that while the city cannot have less strict guidelines in place than the State of Oklahoma, it can have stricter regulations. While Lawton allowed personal care businesses to reopen April 24, Oklahoma City and Tulsa were among the cities that did not.
In other business, the council will consider an early retirement incentive plan proposed by City Manager Michael Cleghorn. The proposal would encourage employees to take retirement in exchange for the city paying a retiree’s medical insurance premium for one year, or giving him/her a lump sum equivalent to one year of health insurance premiums. To quality, employees must declare their retirement plans by May 15, then either retire prior to July 1 or request to be put on terminal leave prior to the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year (June 30, 2021).
City staff has calculated the cost of one year’s worth of pre-Medicare cost at $7,687.32, or $5,275.32 for a Medicare retiree. City staff also calculated the cost savings for taking that option would be 75 to 90 percent of the annual salary of each qualifying retiree.
In other business, the council will consider:
• Meeting in executive session to discuss the hiring of a city attorney to replace former City Attorney Frank Jensen, who left his post as city attorney in August 2019, and retired from the city in March. Council discussion is expected to include evaluation of candidates who have submitted applications for the post.
• Meeting in executive session for an update on tort claims filed by six female employees alleging administrative and elected officials knew about harassing actions by Jensen.
• Setting the filing period and calling elections for the City Council Ward 6, 7 and 8 seats. The filing period will be June 15-17, with the primary election set for Aug. 25 and the runoff (if needed) Nov. 3. As defined by city charter, those running for council must be a registered voter and a resident in the ward they seek to represent for at least six months prior to filing. There is no filing fee.
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has implemented the latest disinfection technology at Hong Kong International Airport to reduce the risk of the Covid-19 infection spreading amongst passengers and airport staff.
The new measures include disinfection channels, antimicrobial coating and autonomous cleaning robots.
Hong Kong International Airport is testing a full-body disinfection channel facility dubbed CLeanTech in live operations. It is a fully enclosed facility that offers complete disinfection and sanitising procedures to users within 40 seconds.
The antimicrobial coating in the interior surface of the channel kills bacteria and viruses on human bodies and clothing using photocatalyst and ‘nano needles’ technology.
It also uses sanitising spray for instant disinfection. To prevent cross-contamination between the outside and inside environment, the channel is kept under negative pressure.
The facility is currently designated for use by staff involved in public health and quarantine duties at the airport in relation to arriving passengers.
Furthermore, AA is conducting a pilot test of applying antimicrobial coating at all passenger facilities in a bid to prevent contamination.
Hong Kong International Airport said it will consider implementing it as a long-term disinfection measure after the completion of the trial in May.
It has also deployed autonomous cleaning robots, equipped with ultraviolet light steriliser and air steriliser, for the thorough disinfection of public areas and passenger facilities.
These robots operate round-the-clock in public toilets and key operating areas in the terminal building. It can sterilise up to 99.99% of bacteria, including both the air and object surfaces, in just ten minutes.
Airport Authority Hong Kong Service Delivery Deputy Director Steven Yiu said: “The safety and wellbeing of airport staff and passengers are always our first priority.
“Although air traffic has been impacted by the pandemic, the AA spares no effort in ensuring that the airport is a safe environment for all users. We will continue to look into new measures to enhance our cleaning and disinfection work.”
Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI World, on the topic of COVID-19 and post-pandemic recovery, exclusively answers questions posed during a live industry briefing.
International Airport Review’s recent live industry briefing with ACI World’s Director General was the first in a series designed to ensure the aviation industry remains up to date in regard to the COVID-19 crisis.
For the first briefing, Angela Gittens unveiled new data and insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting airports in the short to medium term, whilst outlining what the sector can expect in the long term. The session is available to watch on demand – if you missed the briefing, please do so here.
A high volume of high-quality questions were received. Therefore, post briefing, Angela exclusively answered some of the industry queries.
What future measures can ACI suggest to fight this sort of pandemic condition?
While we cannot predict exactly how emergencies will unfold, we can prepare for a diverse set of scenarios. With respect to communicable diseases, ACI policy recommends that airports abide by international health regulations and include mitigation measures as part of their emergency preparedness.
Health screening and/or certification is likely to become the new normal. Many different solutions are being deployed, and further work is required to determine the most efficient and effective best practices. This may also be the time to consider solutions for truly autonomous, hands-free passenger self-processing throughout the journey.
Airports must have an aerodrome emergency plan which establishes the guidelines for how major emergencies will be managed and defines the roles and responsibilities of the principal responding agencies or teams.
Local, regional and national organisations and agencies – such as health providers, government agencies or emergency services providers – will also be involved in the response to any incident and must be factored into the development of the plan.
While the airport operators will normally have the primary responsibility for emergencies, they should call upon and use the collective expertise and resources of all airport community partners for the benefit of all.
Do you see airports revising their charges being levied on airlines to help them stand up in the post COVID-19 environment?
The aviation industry is an ecosystem and will need to recover in a balanced way which does not favour one part of the industry over another – we all need each other.
ACI favours market-based solutions between airports and airlines considering the fact that both are interrelated businesses with shared risks. Generally, airports want to work closely with their airline clients to incentivise the growth of traffic which is a mutual interest in the recovery period.
In the medium to long-term, national authorities will have a key role to play to stimulate air transport demand and foster a rapid recovery of the airport business. Restoring consumer confidence will be an important part of this effort.
This is especially important considering the substantial downward pressure on the global economy, declining incomes and high unemployment, translating into higher price sensitivity for air transport demand.
Is ACI identifying best practices for communicating with passengers/employees in regard to the new normal or airline operation return?
ACI World’s subject matter experts and programme leads have come together with the ACI regions to establish a pipeline of free support and information to assist members in navigating this period.
From advisory bulletins on key topics, to repackaged content from manuals and handbooks, and free webinars and podcasts, support has been focused on this overriding issue.
As the industry moves into recovery mode, the information and technical guidance that we package and provide will be tailored towards supporting these efforts. That is, moving from support in dealing with the crisis, to moving to support to aid the recovery process.
In fact, ACI World has just released a road map for the airport industry’s recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Policy Brief – COVID-19: Relief Measures to Ensure the Survival of the Airport Industry – outlines exceptional measures to provide policymakers with a comprehensive toolkit of solutions to ensure that the airport industry can be sustained through the crisis and lay the foundation for recovery. This is available, free of charge, on the ACI World website.
If we are asking government to help, why not ask them to cover the agenda that aviation needs to cover with the reduction of carbon emissions? In other words, can we use this middle time for governments to fund work towards better understanding the challenges of lowering carbon emissions for air transport?
To deal with both crises (health and climate change) will require a great deal of planning, coordination and collaboration among different stakeholders.
Air transport actors, such as airports, will have more leverage for support from the government if they join efforts in actions to tackle climate change that could impact multiple stakeholders from within and without the sector. For example, the availability of renewable energy will be critical for airports to transition to a net-zero carbon business model. Stakeholders would have a stronger claim for support if airport operators work in collaboration with municipalities, communities and other business sectors that can benefit from government investment in renewables.
Working to identify innovative ways to collaborate and define new business models will be essential to the recovery of the sector and to overcoming the current challenges of lowering carbon emissions. We hope governments will further support the sector’s carbon reduction efforts by investing in research and development (R&D) to build more environmentally-friendly technology and scale up the commercial deployment of sustainable aviation fuels.
ACI will continue to work with the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) to identify priorities and joint opportunities for the industry. Although we first need to get through the global health crisis, we also have the opportunity to rebuild a more resilient industry, including climate change as an essential element of our recovery plans.
We are pleased that ATAG is not losing sight of the climate change crisis, and nor are airports. ATAG is doing what ATAG does best: It is bringing together all parts of industry so that we have a joined up view of what the longer term future needs to look like so that the industry, regulators and travelling public can thrive.
Recovery will take time and surely investments will be put on hold in 2020. However, there is technology that will help the airports to spring back, such as self-service technology and contactless technology for passenger processing that will enable higher throughput of passengers in existent capacity, better passenger experience, reduce operational costs and reduce the spreading of pathogens. Are you advising the airports not to shy away from such investments in 2020 to collect the benefits in the near to long-term? How are airports seeing these investments – as a must have or are they forced to put them on hold until the financial situation stabilises?
During this global disruption airports have been forced to reconsider their normal business and operational processes, including the deployment of innovative technologies and solutions for self and autonomous operations.
For this reason, airports are considering what adjustments can be made for the post-COVID-19 environment that will be beneficial in the near to long-term.
For instance, health screening is likely to become the new normal. Many different solutions are being deployed and further work is required to determine the most efficient and effective best practices. This may also be the time to consider solutions for truly autonomous, hands-free passenger self-processing throughout the journey.
Today, airports are focused on business continuity, but they will soon be considering how to manage the business impact in preparation to accelerate the growth. These key topics will be covered in later advisory bulletins. ACI will release an advisory bulletin on this topic in the near future.
What do airports need in terms of assistance (short term, mid term, long term)?
The impact of COVID-19 on the airport sector has been profound. Passenger traffic is expected to decline by almost 40 per cent and revenue is expected to contract by $77 billion (U.S. Dollars) in 2020; a decline of 45 per cent. In order to alleviate this unprecedented impact, ACI World has issued the following six focused policy responses that should be implemented:
Protection of airport charges and revenues: As airports will need to ensure the continuity of basic services, alleviating the collection of airport charges through suspension or blanket discounts is an ill-advised response
Tax relief: Urgent tax relief will provide much-needed financial oxygen to airports to ensure continuity of operations and safeguard airport jobs
Concession fee waiver: Airport rents and concession fees should be waived or postponed in the form of a one-time measure for a defined period
Temporary suspension of slot usage requirements: Airport slot usage requirements should be suspended, at global level, until 30 June 2020 with a reassessment of the situation based on data-driven evidence to follow
Continuity of air cargo operations: Airports should continue levying charges on air cargo operations to maintain essential airside and cargo facilities
Comprehensive financial relief: This should include wage subsidy schemes to allow continued operations and a rapid return to full operations. Grants and subsidies, secured financing, loans at preferential rates and bank guarantees should be made available. Financial relief should be non-discriminatory and not benefit one actor at the expense of others in the aviation ecosystem.
Some airport facilities such as taxiways/runways could suffer from long time aircraft storage since those surfaces are not primarily intended for such storage. Will you issue some pragmatic recommendation about these facilities return to service such as Service Indexes and visual inspection?
Indeed, taxiway and runway pavements are not normally designed for parking and there is a concern about damage to pavements. ACI has released an advisory bulletin on Airside Safety and Operations under COVID-19 which addresses these issues. We recommend that airports make an assessment based on aircraft types and pavement rating and consider how to ensure pavements remain up to standard. Aircraft operators may seek to add ballast in their stored aircraft to ensure stability under wind conditions, therefore it is anticipated that flexible pavement may suffer from overloading. In case of damage, airports should consider that taxiways requiring repairs or re-surfacing could be out of service for some time, with attendant operational constraints.
Even when there is no damage, airports should give consideration as to how pavements should be re-certified once the aircraft are moved. We are seeking advice from aircraft manufacturers in this regard.
How will airports introduce social distancing in key areas, for example security and gate lounges?
For airport operators, the main aims are to protect the health and welfare of travellers, staff and the public, and to reduce the opportunities for further spread of the virus. Social distancing has been key to these efforts.
Airports have deployed social distancing at the workplace in that staff are assigned to workstations that are more spatially spread out or alternate with other departments.
Likewise, they have instilled measures such as stickers on the floor to encourage two metres distancing at all passenger touchpoints including arrivals, check in, passport control, security checkpoint and self-service gates. These measures are feasible at this time of low volume but cannot be a long-term solution once traffic approaches pre-COVID levels.
In your opinion, what – if any – collaborative approaches could contribute to mitigating the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis?
The development of the aviation industry is symbiotic and recovery will require collaboration and cooperation among all aviation stakeholders, including industry – airports, airlines, air navigation providers, manufacturers, etc.— regulators and governments.
In addition, the relief measures that have been put forward by ACI will ensure that financial assistance does not benefit one part of the industry over another in the aviation ecosystem, so that a balanced global recovery can be created.
For the future, ACI had already been working on developing guidance to improve airport resilience in the face of the effects of climate change and had already issued guidance on business continuity in the face of a range of circumstances. This crisis, being worldwide, with both physical and economic consequences, is closer to a world war scenario than either a health or economic catastrophe. It will be incumbent on a myriad of sectors to improve our global and local responsiveness to this kind of event. It may require the kind of global reflection that led to the establishment of ICAO.
Do you think we can still count on air traffic to double by 2037?
Most experts in the air transport industry agree that the prospective recovery may take two years to reach the pre-crisis traffic levels; we may not see pre-COVID-19 traffic volumes again before the end of 2021.
It’s very hard to predict at this point how long before the industry will bounce back and ACI will continue to periodically update the impact of COVID-19 on air traffic. The impact of the health crisis may very well have an impact on when air traffic will double.
As far as slots are concerned, have current slots for schedule services been put on hold and will airlines be able to automatically get their slots back when air services are resumed?
Airport slots usage requirements have been temporarily suspended until 30 June 2020 to enable carriers to adjust their schedules in a sustainable way and for airports to protect connecting traffic at hub airports and help safeguard connectivity worldwide.
As regards subsequent adjustments, ACI favours an ongoing flexible reassessment of the situation based on data-driven evidence that would focus on the situation in every market.
Because the released capacity can be used for cargo and freighter flights during the crisis, a time-limited approach could limit unintended consequences when the situation starts to return to normal. This will ensure that passenger carriers regain access to their slots rapidly when demand will warrant a return to operations.
Receiving realistic flight schedules enables airports to take necessary operational and planning measures, and to reduce operating costs proportionately. Therefore, ACI is urging airlines to return their slots within 24 hours of removing flights from booking systems and make commercial cancellations at the very latest two weeks before the scheduled departure date.
Along with the global temporary suspension, a high level of dialogue and close collaboration between carriers and airports is needed to better align the supply of airport capacity with the actual passenger demand.
Very few governments have shown support so far for airports. How long do you think it will take for governments to realise the importance of supporting airports and how will ACI react in order to make them move faster with their assistance?
We have seen examples of government assistance for airports. Canada is waiving ground lease rents from March 2020 through to December 2020 for the 21 airport authorities that pay rent to the federal government, providing relief of up to $331.4 million. Airports in the U.S. will be awarded approximately $10 billion in COVID-19 financial support under the CARES Act Airport Program. In Singapore and as part of the second assistance package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, more than S$1 billion will be set aside for sectors such as aviation and tourism. Brazil has postponed concession fees.
ACI will continue to advocate for its recommended policy measures to help airports weather and recover from the crisis.
At this moment, does ACI see any recovery signs especially from regions like APAC?
States are starting to place attention on recovery. ACI is encouraging states to coordinate their planning based on recommendations from health authority criteria and practical measures in collaboration with industry. We are looking at short-medium and long-term measures as commercial aviation demand emerges. The recovery period will be affected by the length of time it takes for the virus to be considered contained in key markets and the depth and length of any economic recession caused by the lockdowns in many states.
The likely scenario is that domestic traffic will recover first so countries that have substantial proportions of such traffic and have a strong virus mitigation programme will see the earliest recovery. Conversely, countries that are highly dependent on international traffic and/or are not seen as having contained the virus, will be the last to recover.
Of course, the earlier the scientists and medical community can develop and scale up a vaccine or a reliable treatment regime, the faster the entire world will be able to recover.
Nathan MartinPublishing date: 12 hours ago • 2 minute read
Pulling into the parkade at the Edmonton International Airport these days is an interesting experience.
With only a handful of cars and trucks in the lot, finding a choice spot has never been easier.
Almost no traffic is going to departures or arrivals, apart from a few parked cabs near Gate 8. A man having a smoke surveys the unusually quiet scene before heading inside.
Inside the arrivals terminal is just as eerie. There is almost no sound at all. No enthusiastic family reunions, no sighs of tired passengers and no clatter of the baggage carousels. The occasional voice over the loudspeaker reminds people to keep their distance, and the sound of a security officer’s Segway echoes ahead long before he’s ever seen.
“It’s eerily quiet. You know I’ve been with the airport for 28 years and I’ve never seen the building empty. So at different times a day, you can walk through and not see anybody,” said Steve Maybee, vice-president operations and infrastructure for Edmonton Airports.
The Tim Hortons is open along with the Circle K, but there’s not a lot of customers to order a double-double.
Maybee said the airport has seen a decrease in customers of more than 95 per cent. The aviation hub used to get around 10,000 passengers going through its doors a day. Now it’s anywhere from 250 to 350, he said.
Airport officials are working with health authorities in implementing new regulatory requirements for passengers, including a recent change that anyone travelling through the facility must wear a face mask. There’s also signage and notifications to remind travellers what to do.
People are still working, including ground crews, security and maintenance staff. Maybee said there are anywhere from 10-20 people on site at any given time, though they are spread out over a large area so that they can work without being too close.
More than 15,000 people arrive each day from countries which have been hit by coronavirus
DOWNING Street is “finally” working on a plan to force people arriving at UK airports to quarantine for 14 days.
According to The Sunday Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday, Westminster government officials are drawing up a Singapore-style plan which could be introduced by next month at the earliest.
Travellers entering the UK via airports and ports will have to quarantine for two weeks under the proposals.
Currently those landing in UK airports, including citizens being repatriated during the pandemic, are not tested for the virus before heading home.
Joanna Cherry initially flagged up the issue with Home Secretary Priti Patel on April 11. She wrote to the Tory minister again last week after no action was taken.
The SNP MP has now welcomed reports that Number 10 is now taking action.
She tweeted: “Pleased to see the U.K. Govt are finally planning to introduce the health checks & quarantine measures for travellers to UK as per my proposals to Home Secretary & which other countries have had in place for weeks #COVID19”
According to The Sunday Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday, the new measures could be rolled out as the UK Government roles out its “track and trace” scheme to identify and isolate new infections.
Those caught breaching the quarantine rules will reportedly be handed large fines.
A Government source told the Telegraph: “A stringent, Singapore-style approach at our ports will help the UK manage the risk of travellers entering the country and reduce the possibility of a second peak.
“We are looking at deploying these measures at the right time, in line with the scientific advice and when community transmission has been significantly reduced.
“More than 15,000 people arrive in the UK each day from virus-hit countries.
HONG KONG: The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) is using several latest disinfection technologies including a full-body disinfection channel and cleaning robots in the Hong Kong airport to reduce the risk of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) spread.
The disinfection channel is an enclosed facility similar to a telephone booth in size where users can complete disinfection and sanitizing procedures in 40 seconds, the AA said Sunday in a statement.
The interior surface of the facility is equipped with antimicrobial coating which can remotely kill virus and bacteria on human bodies and clothing by using the technologies of photocatalyst and “nano needles,” the AA said, noting that the Hong Kong International Airport is the world’s first airport to use the facility.
Currently, the disinfection channel is used by public health staff who bear quarantine duties at the airport.
Autonomous cleaning robots have also been used to ensure thorough disinfection of public areas and passenger facilities at the airport.
The cylindrical robots, equipped with ultra violet light sterilizer and air sterilizer, operate round-the-clock in public toilets and key operating areas in the terminal building, the AA said. The robots can move around autonomously and sterilize up to 99.99% of bacteria in its vicinity, including both the air and object surfaces, in just 10 minutes.
Besides, the AA is also conducting a pilot test of applying antimicrobial coating at all passenger facilities, including check-in counters, baggage trolleys and elevator buttons, among others.
After completion of the trial in May, the AA will consider implementing it as a long term disinfection measure.
The AA spares no effort in ensuring that the airport is a safe environment for all users and will continue to look into new measures to enhance the cleaning and disinfection work, Steven Yiu, deputy director, Service Delivery of the AA, said. – Xinhua/Asian News Network
LiDAR sensing technology is now commonly known as a solution for automotive driving and ADAS system, but the technology also leverage its edges in a time of the COVID-19 crisis. An indoor motion analysis software developer, iinsider, released SafeDistance, a free upgrade to its LiDAR-powered solution for monitoring and analyzing crowd density in public spaces.
The software utilizes LiDAR sensors and 3D perception software from Quanergy to help airport, venue and facility managers monitor and mitigate crowding and congestion, and maintain safe distancing within their venues.
(Image: iinside)
LiDAR sensors are placed throughout venues and facilities to capture the data necessary for SafeDistance to predict or identify over-crowding and trigger an alert to venue and facility managers. SafeDistance allows building management to monitor the effectiveness of customer spacing efforts 24/7 and take the necessary action to preserve safe distancing practices. In addition, historical heat maps that highlight zones where crowd spacing falls below configurable parameters, or real-time spacing between passengers, customers, employees or sports fans can all be track to help manage safe social distancing.
The technology is offered to the company’s current customers, including several major airports in the U.S. “We recognize that the world will be a very different place once shelter-at-home mandates are lifted and public venues re-open,” said Sam Kamel, CEO of iinside. “We wanted to do our part to help restore the public’s confidence in going to the airport, a sports arena, or any other venue. By providing venue and facility managers with real-time crowd density information and predictive analytics, they can take immediate action to uphold proper social spacing.”
TORONTO, April 20, 2020 – New face covering requirements are seen on a screen during the COVID-19 … [+]Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
Though airlines across the world have radically reduced operations due to the coronavirus, some people still have to fly for a variety of reasons. To protect passengers and crew as much as possible from the transmission of COVID-19, carriers have instituted numerous safety measures. Here’s a look at what Canada’s major airlines are doing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus during flights.
Travelers wearing protective gears wait to check in at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, … [+] Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
In response to a directive from Transport Canada, Air Canada has made masks mandatory. This requirement applies to passengers at specified areas in Canadian airports, during the boarding process and during the flight. Travelers must prove they have a suitable face covering prior to boarding. Acceptable masks include a cloth mask, scarf or similar item. See the Public Health Agency of Canada website for more info.
Air Canada notes that it has implemented physical distancing practices wherever possible and is seating passengers as far apart as possible. The airline is also encouraging customers to check-in online or via the Air Canada app rather than at the airport in order to minimize social contact at airport check-in areas.
