Airport pandemic response: An assessment of impacts and strategies after one year with COVID-19. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arora, Mohit; Tuchen, Stefan; Nazemi, Mohsen; Blessing, Lucienne
• Is Part Of: Transportation research interdisciplinary perspectives. Volume 11(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: User experience -- Airport design -- Air transportation systems -- Aviation strategy -- Coronavirus response -- Aviation Policy; Transportation -- Periodicals; 388.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2021.100449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-1982

Abstract

Highlights: Air transportation played a key role in COVID-19 spread across borders. A pandemic response framework has been conceptualized for the civil aviation sector. Threat levels and an appropriate response matrix have been proposed for global adoption. Global operational, economic and environmental impacts have been assessed for 2020. Reduced air traffic in 2020 helped achieve 48% GHG emissions reduction from aviation. Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis for the air transportation industry, affecting millions of aviation users and stakeholders. As the aviation sector has faced disease outbreaks and extreme events before—albeit not at the same scale—and will, in all likelihood, face them again, we provide an assessment in this study that a) gives an overview of the effects of the pandemic, b) categorizes the response mechanisms that were observed, and c) proposes a framework for a coordinated global response to future disease outbreaks. We highlight that of the many lessons, recommendations, and suggestions that emerged during previous outbreaks, few were introduced effectively into civil aviation practices and operations. Based on multiple data sources for passengers, cargo, and flight schedules, we assess the impact of COVID-19 on the global aviation industry and compare the data of some prominent airports to highlight the need for a coordinated response to effectively deal with future disruptions. As global aviation navigates its ongoing recovery, we discuss different responses during the pandemic including guidelines issued by bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), operational decisions such as closing terminals, increased cleaning frequencies, and mask mandates etc. We emphasize the need for resilience to accommodate disease outbreaks in future planning, design, and preparedness strategies for airports and airlines. We further argue that the existing civil aviation system needs a coordinated global response mechanism to combat future outbreaks and propose a framework with a threat response matrix to keep aviation safe and operational during future pandemics and mitigate socioeconomic fallout.