As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to unfold, Airports Council International (ACI) World, the trade association of the world’s airports, has issued new best practice guidance on airport security screening to help protect screeners, passengers and staff while preserving security.
The ACI Advisory Bulletin, titled ‘Security screening best practices during COVID-19’, includes guidance on security checkpoint management, the screening of passengers and staff, the screening of baggage, and protection for screening staff. It also includes advice on communication of these practices to passengers.
“The safety, security and health of passengers and staff remain top priorities for airports and their partners in the aviation industry,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “It is crucial that security screening practices can be adapted to suit new circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, without affecting the overall security of the system.
“The guidance we have issued today provides airport management and staff with procedures that they can introduce that will help protect passengers as well as screening agents and other airport staff as they carry out their important functions.”
ACI World’s guidance includes provision of protective equipment, staff hygiene practices, and sanitisation material, as well as advice on queue and crowd management at the checkpoint, procedures for hand searches, and the use of explosive trace detection equipment.
“These are extraordinary times for the airport industry and the world and there is no such thing as business as usual,” Gittens said.
“So, it is incumbent on us, the aviation industry, governments and our global partners to come together to protect the health of our passengers and to safeguard the future health of our vital industry.”
The full ACI Advisory Bulletin is available here.
