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The coronavirus has greatly disrupted air travel and the operation of both airlines and airports. This disruption could lead to many changes in air travel, including the way the most airports function. While there’s no way to know for sure exactly when and how the air travel industry will get back to more normal operations, it is clear they’ll have to make changes to boost customer confidence and get people traveling again once it’s allowed.
Timing Changes
To limit crowds and allow extra security precautions, people may need to arrive earlier, have appointments to go through security checks, or get notified through apps on their devices when it’s their time to board rather than waiting in a long line at the gate. Minimizing crowds and getting people where they need to be at the right time (not too early or too late) will require more data to be passed on to travelers in a timely manner. For example, flight tracking could be used to notify passengers to arrive at the airport later due to delays or to head to a different gate than originally announced.
Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitation Practices
Visible increases in sanitation and cleaning will most likely be observed at airports. For instance, passengers may need to go through full-body disinfection booths on their way into the airport. Luggage may also need to go through a disinfection process. Employees will be cleaning areas that are touched frequently more often, and there may even be cleaning robots in some airports.
Some experts even predict that airports may close down for part of the night to allow for more thorough cleanings rather than operating 24 hours per day. People may have to continue wearing masks in airports, get temperature checks, or need some other type of medical clearance to be allowed to check-in for their flights. Surfaces in airports and on airplanes may be more likely to be coated with substances that are antibacterial.
Less Contact and More Barriers
Other major changes include making more areas of the airport self-service and limiting contact between you and your belongings and airport staff. Check-in and boarding may be done through facial recognition software and there will be more touchless services that are either voice or motion activated. You may even be able to walk your luggage through a scanner without opening it or taking anything out. Clear barriers, such as plexiglass shields, will separate travelers from many of the airport employees.
Fewer Airlines and Fewer Shops?
The prolonged disruption to air travel and the minimal number of people currently traveling may make it so some airlines go out of business and shops close. Social distancing recommendations may mean that essential airport services require more space as well, leaving less room for shops and restaurants. Drinking fountains are considered less sanitary than drinking from bottled water, as they are touched by more people, so they may be removed from service to limit the risk of disease transmission.
As you can see, there are many potential changes to airports without even getting into the potential changes for airplanes. Keep an eye out for what’s happening once the coronavirus gets a bit more under control and people start traveling again. Make sure you know what to expect before you leave for the airport so you bring along any personal protective equipment that you need and leave enough time to get checked in and to the gate for boarding.
