COVID-19 – Stop the Spread

and Safely open the Gateways

Key issues and interventions

https://www.mottmac.com/views/aviation-and-
covid-19-stop-the-spread-open-the-gateways

Mott MacDonald
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
Agenda

1. Introduction and background

2. Epidemiology and Interventions
3. Guiding principles
4. Stakeholders
5. Application matters
6. Technology
7. Communications

Mott MacDonald
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Introductions and background

Chris Chalk Global aviation sector leader Opening opportunities through connected thinking

Toby Leslie, PhD Health Specialist, expert on

epidemiology, infectious disease
control and Global Health Security
Louise Urquhart Head of architecture - aviation and
healthcare, including recent
Nightingale COVID-19 ICU
hospitals
Phil Vigor Lead aviation operational research
Combining global world class aviation and health
services to create a uniquely informed response to
the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens the existence
of our industry.
Introducing new thinking including Infrastructure
Epidemiology, Non-pharmaceutical Interventions
(NPIs), no-touch travel.

Lee Ebbutt Lead aviation technology & ACI

This will be part and parcel of aviation going forward.
global technology board

Mott MacDonald
3 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Background

• The stark truth facing the

aviation sector is that without
international air transport, there
would have been no
Coronavirus pandemic.

• The world cannot afford a

second wave of infection and
lockdowns.

• Knowing what we know we

cannot be passive bystanders
when aviation reconnects the
world

Mott MacDonald
4 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 About this pandemic

• Stopping the spread is essential as is safely

opening the gateways

• It is difficult to detect & carriers may have no

external symptoms

• It is infectious, invisible and deadly

• To vaccinate the travelling community will take

a long time (18-24 months)

• In the mean time it is about risk mitigation

through interventions
Mott MacDonald
6 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Current proposals

Many proposals focus on cleaning and testing but

not on why, where, how frequently and how the
effectiveness can be tested.
There are no proposals that truly challenge or
change the current process.
Many of the proposals are cosmetic and will lead to
a sense of false security, i.e.
“Encourage restaurants to provide utensils in the dining
areas (even for fast food).”

A donkey is always a donkey They don’t question why F&B is kept open.

Mott MacDonald
7 April 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Why this matters

• Aviation is the primary vector to keep the

pandemic live around the world

• As countries look to relax their lockdowns the risk

of spread may increase

• We cannot afford another lockdown and must play

our part in stopping the spread

• Aviation needs to demonstrate that we’re part of

the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Mott MacDonald
8 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
Epidemiology &
Interventions

Mott MacDonald
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Epidemiology - terminology

Exposure / Disease status Notes / Explanation Who? Infectious? Risk to workers

Definitions and principles:

Unexposed Zero risk of transmission Those who observe strict NO Nil

isolation and/or who live
in areas with few cases

Exposed - immune Either by prior exposure or vaccine, no risk V small proportion (at the NO Low
of being infected moment)

Exposed – at risk of contracting the disease through Most travellers and NO Low
Non-immune fomites (handles and other surfaces) or majority of wider
direct contact droplet transmission. population
Includes those in the incubation period

Exposed and infected, Has come into contact with virus; virus has Most likely source, YES Highest
asymptomatic infected cells in respiratory tract but no highest proportion of
noticeable symptoms are reported those infected (?60-80%)

Exposed, infected and Active case with symptoms (fever, cough). Some passengers – YES – Highly Highest
symptomatic (mild, Symptoms typically start 7-10 days after would likely be picked up
moderate, severe) - infection. by temp screening (20-
40% of infected)

Exposed, infected and Significant and severe clinical condition Few travellers, but most YES – Highest Low – because unlikely to
critical normally arises after 5-7 days of moderate likely on arriving flights. be travelling (outbound)
Mott MacDonald
symptoms. Unlikely to be travelling. 7-10%
10 of those infected High – inbound / arriving May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Epidemiology – principles:
Reducing the risk of exposure:

Ro – the reproductive number = number of onward infections from a single infected person
<1 – disease dies
>1 – disease transmission continues
>2 – “exponential”
COVID-19 = 3-6 (4.2)

Fundamentally, we need to reduce exposure risk for COVID-19:

• Proximity to infectious person – droplet transmission through air
• Touching infected person, e.g. hands – direct transmission from person to person
• Fomites – transmission via handles, buttons, surfaces

• All of these are a function of:

• Underlying local transmission rates in for the airport or airport of origin for arrivals
• The time spent in “hazard” areas / pinch-points
• Degree of social mixing / person-density
• Hygiene and sanitation

Mott MacDonald
11 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 NPIs – Non-pharmaceutical interventions:
Actions to reduce exposure

Reducing exposure reduces transmission risk:

Departures:
• Ensure staff and passenger journeys around • Reduce person density to reduce contact:
the airport maintain social distancing Social distancing, passengers only in terminal,
requirements and minimise the need to interact limited seating, at check-in/baggage drop –
with others and objects staggered check-in by seat numbers; pathways
through airport (restrictions / zones); direct to
• Screen out symptomatic passengers prior to
gate and boarding;
entry – self-declaration prior to travel (backed
by local by-law/legal remedy?); temperature • Maintain hygiene and sanitation: All fomites –
screening at doors. The only diagnostics the obvious and the less obvious
available now are either unreliable or take too • Other NPIs: PPE (for airport staff); masks;
long. They require biological testing. gloves; hand sanitiser;
• Reduce time in terminal – this is an overarching
goal; the less time people spend from terminal
to aircraft is less time exposed.
Mott MacDonald
12 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 NPIs – Non-pharmaceutical interventions:
Actions to reduce exposure

Arrivals:
• Screen out symptomatic passengers on arrival –
self-declaration prior to landing (backed by local
by-law/legal remedy?); temperature screening
at doors. The only diagnostics available now are
either unreliable or take too long. They require
biological testing.
• Reduce time in arrivals – this is an overarching
goal; the less time people spend from aircraft to
egress is less time exposed.
• Reduce person density to reduce contact:
Social distancing, lower density aircraft arrivals
(reduced capacity?); passengers released by
row, baggage return by row; pathways through
airport (restrictions / zones); direct to ground
transportation;
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Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
• Maintain hygiene and sanitation: All fomites –
the obvious and the less obvious
• Other NPIs: PPE (for airport staff); masks;
gloves; hand sanitiser;
• Identify and isolate suspected cases for testing
and onward medical care / isolation. Keep close
records manifest and onward travel – contact
tracing.
• Possible special gate(s) for aircraft with
suspected cases and/or arriving from areas
with ongoing transmission with enhanced
testing
• Respond safely to medical emergencies
May 2020
 Goals

National Level: International Level:

Maintain a level of risk that is no higher Reduce the risk of international

than other means of mass transportation / transmission before flying through NPIs.
social activity.

There should be no excess risk of disease Travelling through and within the airport
transmission comparing normal social should not increase the risk, regardless of
activity (e.g. shopping) and the airport the number of flights
environment

Mott MacDonald
14 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
Guiding Principles

Mott MacDonald
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 3 step approach

Step 1
Step 2
What needs to be
done to get the Step 3
What can be then
world flying introduced to
safely again The longer term
improve the implications to
(operational journey
interventions) prevent occurrence
(operations, capex of another
& revenues) pandemic
(operations, capex
& revenues)

Mott MacDonald
16 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Guiding Principles

Airports should not add to the risk of This means:

contracting COVID beyond the flight itself
and should help to reduce that risk
Start from introducing essential services only
– what is needed to get passengers to,
through and from the terminal in the minimum 3. Recognise that testing will only reduce
amount of time
Remove people, process and access to
facilities that do not need to be there
Do the brilliant basics very well
1. Treat issue at the source (i.e. originating
passengers)
2. Only accept people who are fit to fly
the risk, and is unlikely to eliminate it
4. Stop opportunities for cross
contamination through the terminal
journey

A joint effort with all stakeholders 5. Rethink the processes

Mott MacDonald
17 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Guiding Principles

Minimise access
Allow access for those fit to fly and those needed to
enable flying
Minimise time
The less time in the terminal the less the risk of
transmission
Minimise contact
Reduce where possible the touchpoints for
transmission
Maximise hygiene

Mott MacDonald
18 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Accepting people who are fit to fly

Self declaration before starting the

journey + electronic monitoring

Testing at the airport before entering the

building + 2nd line controls (+ false Less
positives) Effective

Testing for arriving connecting

passengers depending on origin

Sharing data

Compensation for those unfit to fly

(unless insurable)
Mott MacDonald
19 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Stop risk of cross contamination

BUSINESS AS USUAL REDUCED RISK

• Common use facilities • Dedicated facilities
• Essential services only

Likely contamination
Mott MacDonald
Possible contamination
20 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Stop risk of cross contamination

BUSINESS AS USUAL REDUCED RISK

• Common use facilities • Dedicated facilities
• Essential services only

Mott MacDonald
21 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 What about arrivals & transfers?

It has to be joined up

The aviation industry can provide the controls

Accepting only people who are fit to fly

Sharing test and contact data

Once in the system symptomatic COVID carriers

need to be accepted and treated at first point of call

This is critical to major hub airports

Group aircraft gates by origin rather than airline

Consider segregated waiting areas for long-layovers

with more facilities
Mott MacDonald
22 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Stakeholders

Mott MacDonald
23 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Implications to Stakeholders
Airlines
• Primary point of contact for passenger manifest
• Should actively dissuade those not fit to fly from
travelling to the airport
• Potentially longer turn-around times for aircraft due to
slower boarding and deplaning, and more intense
cleaning
• Sufficient desks to manage queuing
• Boarding from the rear of cabin
• No cabin baggage
• Spacing out of active departure aircraft gates
Mott MacDonald
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
24 passengers and staff to social distance
Security
• Changes to queuing may require more staff (can these
be substituted by others) – need more than one
document check-point
• How to go contactless
• Review process to reduce overall risk
Border Control
• Arriving passengers cannot be sent back if tested
positive or have symptoms
• What arrival health checks are needed and where?
• Finger print scanners cleaning
• Queue management
• Policy on admission from other countries
Transport Authorities and Operators
• Transport provision to and from the airport must enable
May 2020
 Application matters

Mott MacDonald
25 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Keeping people safe

It is not just the passengers it is also those

working on the front line
Rest areas and PPE for staff (in particular
when F&B is closed)
Handling positive test passengers
Paramedics, their facilities and vehicles
Recognise that baggage is a risk as well
Facilities for medical waste and collection
Transport provision that enables safe
journeys to and from work
Mott MacDonald
26 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Reducing cross contamination

Passengers should be:

• Informed of their journey requirements before travel

• Checked in before arriving at the terminal
• Where screened this should be before entering the
building
• Non-ticketed people should not be allowed in the
buildings
• In the terminal for the minimum time Hot Spots: • Seating

• Avoid all unnecessary surface contact and sub-standard • Immigration

• Check-in ID
distancing • Meeter & greeter
• Baggage carts area
• Not be distracted on their journey
• Baggage handles • Parking payment
• Given clear wayfinding to their gate
• Self-check and bag • Ground transport
• Not have access to common waiting areas, lounges, drop kiosk
retail and F&B should be closed until safe to open
• Security
• Areas of queuing
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• Restrooms May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Processes

Review needed of all touchpoints

• What are needed
• What is the type of touch
• What are cleanable
• What is the level of use

Review of all restricted distancing

• Can this be better managed
• What are the consequences

Mott MacDonald
28 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Consider the bags
Just an under-the-seat bag

1. 100% hosted
bag drop (avoids
self service
touch points)
2. Fewer items of
screen will counteract
slower process due to
social distancing

3. Board from the

back – reduced
contact in cabin -
no rush to bag space
in overhead lockers

4. Faster boarding
and no cross
contamination in
overhead lockers

Mott MacDonald
29 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Processes

What to do What not to do

• Check-in before travel • Be unprepared
• Bring your own PDA and be tracked • Bringing non-travelling passengers to the
• Bring your own bottle airport
• Drive & park • Common use facilities
• Controls before entering the building or • Self service touch points
transit system • Disney queuing
• Only checked bags & small carry-on for • Dwell time
under seat size • Happy or not customer service indicators
• Maximize on-line commercial • Hold in departure lounge before call to
• Board from the back gate
• Opening facilities that add workload
Mott MacDonald
30 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Hygiene
Hygiene is not just cleanliness it is a holistic
protection, like security
A senior appointment focussed on Hygiene
highly desirable (Infection Control Officer)
Examine not just current but future protection
Standard of cleaning to meet practice
appropriate to the risk and pandemic
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Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
• Increased cleaning of facilities that is visible,
achievable and measurable
• Provide cleaning facilities such as hand
sanitisers
• Passengers will demand less human
interaction and paper touching paper/screens
etc
• Staff will demand less contact both human
and non human
• Supply chains may be constrained in delivery
of ideal solution in the near term
• Some surfaces may be difficult to clean and
should be replaced (fabric seating)
May 2020
 Customer Service

The journey will be stressful so focus on customer

experience will be ever more important

Focus on:
• Safety, Security and efficiency
• Make it visible
• Look for opportunities to improve the journey
experience that do not increase risk
• Create self service journey information for PDAs

Operational research will be critical to understand

the evolving issues

Mott MacDonald
32 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Phases 2 & 3

Phase 2 Phase 3

Commercial services introduced when it safe to do Ensure that the industry has an immediate response
so. plan that prevents another pandemic being
Consumers are getting more proficient in “Click and Collect” facilitated by aviation
Consider prioritised basics Design facilities that improve hygiene controls
• Contactless as standard Adopt best practices learned from around the world
• Pre-packed F&B
Lever the emerging technologies
• Water bottle re-fillers
• etc Discard historic practices
Introduce new technologies to reduce touch points
Use technologies to monitor activities
Make the best use of science in understanding the
evolving risk levels

Mott MacDonald
33 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Technology

Mott MacDonald
34 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Digital Response
ACI say that this is an ‘Exciting time for Digital
and Technology’
Organisations will expedite Digital Transformation
programmes to integrate data to allow them to
understand their business and make measured
decisions
Implement or strengthen asset management
strategies supported by IoT for the provision of
increased information
Remove/Reduce human dependency through
automation of processes in operation and
throughout business
Introduce the monitoring of health status through
technologies
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Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
Online and mobile booking processes for services
and retail offerings (Off site)
Implement dwell management tools to provide
information to passengers and manage social
distancing
Use real time data and Control Centres to optimise
operations and manage passenger behaviour
Implement SMART security processing
NEXTT initiative will be driven to be implemented
earlier – Single Token Journey
Personalised tablets and devices to reduce sharing
May 2020
 Communications

Mott MacDonald
36 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Consistent communications is critical

Communications need to be simple, This will be a high stress time for

clear and direct passengers and staff
Trusted information to share with Focus on:
passengers through various
communication media • Safety

Consistent across airlines, the airport • Efficiency

and agencies – 1 source of truth • Everyone doing their job
Each airport will have its own issues exceptionally well

Each airline will have their own issues • Small tokens of happiness that will go
a long way
Mott MacDonald
37 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Aviation Lessons and Response

Aviation was the vector for Covid-19 pandemic, and

has a decisive part to play in preventing a second
wave of infection and future pandemics

The passenger journey will be rebuilt to limit

transmission between passengers, between flights
and to staff

Hygiene and prevention of transmission should be

given the same status as security

The insights, principles and practices of infrastructure

epidemiology can be applied beyond the aviation
sector to control viral infection in public transport,
https://www.mottmac.com/views/aviation-and-covid-
sports and the high street
Mott MacDonald
19-stop-the-spread-open-the-gateways
38 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Today’s menu – Infrastructure Epidemiology
Starter

Understand the risk

Stop the Spread
-
Main course – no choices

Minimise access
Minimise time
Minimise contact
Optimise hygiene
-
Dessert

Safely open the Gateways together

Mott MacDonald
39 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Workstreams going forward

1. Alignment of goals and objectives. This is across the

primary stakeholders.
2. Review NPIs (Non-pharmaceutical interventions)
available through the journey and risk reduction
efficacy
3. A thorough “touchpoint check-up” looking at all touch
(or proximity points), the transmission risk, the hygiene
factors and whether they are really needed and what
can be closed off or modified.
4. Operational research analysis and capacity
optimizations given the above interventions.
5. Commercial impact, traffic, opex and revenues starting
from where we are now rather than where we were
6. Revised operational plan and customer services plan
Mott MacDonald
40 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways
 Thank you

Mott MacDonald
41 May 2020
Covid-19 Crisis – Stop the spread + Safely open the Gateways