EASA Provides Tips For Operating During COVID-19 Pandemic

May 21, 2020

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in conjunction with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, recently published the “COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol,” which contains operational guidelines for the management of air passenger and aviation personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The best practices are intended for airport operators, commercial and non-commercial aircraft operators conducting passenger transportation and national aviation authorities.

Some best practices appropriate for business aviation include:

• Limiting airport facility access to passengers, crewmembers and staff to the extent possible
• Discouraging symptomatic passengers, crewmember and staff from arriving at the airport
• Widely distributing and posting health promotion materials
• Practicing social distancing of 6 feet, whenever possible
• Wearing face masks from the time an individual enters the airport until leaving the destination airport
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Proper use of PPE by airport and aircraft operator staff members

“Each business aviation organization should develop its own set of best practices based on the variables that determine that organization’s risk of exposure,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president of international and regulatory affairs.

“Guidelines like this roadmap published by EASA are an excellent place to start; then tailor the recommendations to address your own risk level,” he added. “For example, an air medical transport organization in the New York metro area has a much different risk of exposure than a small flight operation based in Montana.”

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a very fluid situation. Just as EASA will evaluate and update the COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol as new information is discovered, business aircraft operators should continuously review and update their policies and procedures to reflect the latest guidance from reputable sources including EASA, the FAA, the U.S. CDC and the World Health Organization.

Review EASA’s COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol (PDF)

NBAA also has a wide array of resources addressing operational, medical, technical, legal and other issues related to COVID-19. View NBAA’s resources.