Can airports meet the challenge of an increase in the number of summer travelers?

With more than 100 million people in the United States having been vaccinated, a growing number of Americans seeking to escape one-year limits at home are booking airline tickets, despite warnings from public health officials that travel should always be avoided.

With reported very low in-flight transmission rates, airlines have been determined to assert the safety and health of air travel during the pandemic.

But with an impending increase in the number of travelers – many of whom may spend more time on the ground than on planes – are the country’s airports equipped to handle the crowds?

The Transportation Security Administration screened more than one million passengers a day last week, an increase of more than 27% from the previous three weeks. While this is positive news for the airline industry, whose passenger traffic fell by 60% last year, it could be the start of a logistical challenge for airports.

“The crisis is not over, but we are certainly seeing what appears to be the start of a very strong increase,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said at a JPMorgan Chase virtual conference on Monday. .

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly echoed this optimism at a Washington Post event after the conference, saying, “With the number of vaccines increasing and the number of cases decreasing, there are a light at the end of this very long tunnel. “

Airports have a vital role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, according to a recent study from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, which stated that “ventilation, physical distance, behavioral problems and the like may need to be dealt with further “as the number of travelers increases.

The risk-based and science-based precautions already in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus “significantly contribute to reducing the risk of transmission of Covid-19 at airports,” according to the study. However, “if you have to fly, or choose to fly, you must develop a Covid plan that includes recommendations for passengers,” described in the report.

An obvious, but important part of this plan is to wear a mask. It is federally mandated at all airports, even with the rules being lifted in some states. Another is rapid virus testing at airports, which can “quickly and effectively identify infected people and prevent them from engaging in activities that could expose others, including potential travel,” the report said.

The study urges airports to continue using only cleaning agents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to disinfect surfaces by hand, and it notes that some of the electrostatic spray and radiation disinfection devices UV rays being deployed are still being evaluated for their effectiveness.

“The number of air changes per hour that are appropriate for comfort needs may be insufficient to protect against airborne infections, especially in congested areas,” the researchers said.

Passengers should also expect new technology at airports, including smartphone apps that can alert them when it’s their turn to go through security.

“Once past the security checkpoint, travelers can receive a ‘just in time’ boarding notification, thus avoiding congestion in the gate area,” the study said. “The sensors can assess queues in security, customs and immigration areas, signaling the need to adjust the ventilation system.”

Health experts recommend passengers to keep their baggage rather than check it in – which avoids having to deal with a sea of ​​strangers at the baggage carousel on landing – but if baggage needs to be checked in, travelers should use airline apps, which will allow contactless drop-off at baggage kiosks.

Ultimately, passengers have their own role to play in preventing the spread of the virus while on the move.

“Airports will continue to communicate these important messages to their passengers and workers,” said Scott Elmore, spokesperson for Airports Council International-North America.

Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airports Authority, which oversees the aviation of Pittsburgh, said: “It doesn’t matter how clean the plane is if the airport isn’t clean and healthy. industry is interdependent. “