June 23, 2020
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has published new guidance regarding implementation of a Public Health Corridor (PHC) for certain operations conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing extensive and inconsistent border restrictions as disruptive to the supply chain of essential goods.
The PHC concept is based on the use of “clean” crew, “clean” aircraft, “clean” airport facilities and “clean” passengers, with “clean” referring to implementing measures to ensure virus-free status, to the extent possible.
The PHC applies to operations carrying cargo, supporting maintenance activities and positioning aircraft without passengers. This includes ferrying of new and repaired aircraft and transportation of crewmembers for operational purposes.
The ICAO guidance also includes guidelines for crewmembers at airport; pre-, in- and post-flight; and during layovers, as well as a sample aircraft disinfection control record and a Crew COVID-19 Status Card.
ICAO’s Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) – a voluntary group of aviation and public health experts who prepare for and manage public health events in civil aviation – said the PHC will ensure continued flight operations with minimal restriction while preventing the spread of COVID-19 through air travel, with a focus on the health and safety of crew and passengers.
“Although this guidance is intended to facilitate specific types of international operations, much of the guidance is applicable to all types of operations,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president of international and regulatory affairs. “The detailed guidelines and especially the aircraft disinfection control record and Crew COVID-19 Status Card might serve as useful examples for domestic and international operators of all types.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.