What is the risk of transmitting COVID-19 in flight?
According to the International Air Transport association (IATA) the risk is very low. IATA reached out to 18 airlines that accounted for 14% of global traffic and asked them about any cases of suspected in-flight transmission.
In all, there were just 3 suspected instances of passenger-to-crew, 4 pilot-to-pilot (timings unknown), whilst there was no passenger-to-passenger cases. Probing deeper, IATA made an in-depth examination of 4 airlines, collaborating with public health follow-up of 1100 confirmed COVID-19 cases post-flight (involving the movement of more than 100,000 passengers), corroborating that there were no known secondary cases amongst other passengers - with just 2 of possible crew cases.
Earlier this year, there were two specific incidents on the studied flights (London to Hanoi and a Boston to Hong Kong), plus other flights where secondary transmission on board the flight had potentially occurred. Bear in mind though that the two flights studied took place in March and a lot has taken place since…where wearing masks or face masks were then uncommon practices.
The IATA report further adds, “There have been millions of flights since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. And there are very few reported incidents where onboard transmission is suspected. We believe the data is telling us that the risk of onboard transmission of the virus is low compared with other public indoor environments, such as trains, buses, restaurants and workplaces.”
The risk of onboard transmission is low due to several key factors.
Firstly, Cabin characteristics limit face-to-face interactions, seat backs provide a physical barrier between rows and there is minimal mixing with one another when seated.
Secondly, Human behaviour has changed with people unwilling to travel when ill, avoiding touch contact and practicing cough etiquette and hand hygiene when flying. This is further strengthened with screening (temperature, etc) measures inn-place before boarding the aircraft.
Thirdly, Airflow on board may minimise droplet spread where unlike in buses and trains, aircraft benefit from very high air exchange rates and sophisticated HEPA filters which remove 99.99% of all particles including viruses.
Fourthly, Minimizing close contact at all stages of the journey, such as, Contactless check-in and baggage processes, Physical distancing throughout the airport journey, Stringent hand hygiene practices, enhanced cleaning procedures and mask / face coverings.
Lastly, Parallel protection measures relating to both cabin and cockpit crew members together with implementing in-flight measures that limit cabin movement during the flight, mandatory wearing of masks / face covering when on board and simplified catering procedures that embrace limited movement and interaction.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
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