As the world gradually wins the fights against COVID-19, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has said that the new safety measures put in place by airlines have reduced the risk of contracting the disease inflight.
IATA stated that there have been just 44 cases where COVID-19 is thought to have been transmitted during a flight since the beginning of 2020, noting that the number includes confirmed, probable and potential cases.
About 1.2 billion passengers have travelled by air, representing a one in 2.7 million probability of being infected on a flight, the Air Transport Association said.
Dr. David Powell, IATA’s Medical Advisor, said:
With only 44 identified potential cases of flight-related transmission among 1.2 billion travellers, that’s one case for every 27 million travellers. We recognise that this may be an underestimate, but even if 90 per cent of the cases were un-reported, it would be one case for every 2.7 million travellers.
We think these figures are extremely reassuring. Furthermore, the vast majority of published cases occurred before the wearing of face coverings in-flight became widespread.
IATA’s assertion is derived in a joint publication by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer of separate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) research conducted by each manufacturer in their aircraft.
Even though their methodologies are a bit different, each detailed simulation confirmed that aircraft airflow systems did control the movement of particles in the cabin, limiting the spread of viruses such as COVID-19.
Airlines have emphasised safety measures such as increased cleaning of aircraft and the , high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on board which circulate clean air with a hospital-like efficiency, in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.
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IATA had also in June, recommended mask-wearing on board since the subsequent publication and implementation of the Take-off Guidance by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Powell said:
ICAO’s comprehensive guidance for safe air travel amid the COVID-19 crisis relies on multiple layers of protection, which involve the airports as well as the aircraft. Mask-wearing is one of the most visible. But managed queuing, contactless processing, reduced movement in the cabin, and simplified onboard services are among the multiple measures the aviation industry is taking to keep flying safe.
And this is on top of the fact that airflow systems are designed to avoid the spread of disease with high air flow rates and air exchange rates, and highly effective filtration of any recycled air.
