The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released a self-assessment health checklist to help airlines navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The trade organisation says the new checklist supports the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) safety measures outlined in its Take-off: Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis framework.
IATA said its Health Safety Checklist for Airline Operators provides the standards and recommended practices (IHSARPs), associated guidance material and other supporting information necessary for an operator to self-assess. Sections cover:
- Pre-arrival notification;
- Check in;
- Embarkation and Disembarkation;
- Aircraft Cleaning;
- Onboard Air Quality;
- In-flight Operations;
- Flight and Cabin Crew – General;
- Crew Layover;
- Airport Facilities.
“Safety is always the number one priority for air transport. And the challenges of Covid-19 have added a new dimension to our efforts. Developed with input from industry, public health authorities and governments, ICAO’s Take-off guidance is the global standard for safe operations. IATA’s self-assessment checklist is a practical implementation guide to help airlines comply,” said IATA’s director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.
“A harmonised approach to health is key not only to the recovery of civil aviation but also to ‘building back better,’ which is crucially important to ensuring the future resilience of the aviation network. IATA’s health checklist for airlines will be of importance in terms of providing momentum for the implementation of the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) recommendations, of which harmonisation and resilience are the guiding principles,’’ said ICAO’s council president, Salvatore Sciacchitano.
