Page 19 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

AIRPORTS TRAVEL

WELLNESS APP MAKES AFRICAN AVIATION TRAVEL

DEBUT AT ALBANY As African aviation embarks on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,

governments move to open up travel, starting with inbound traffic under certain

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT restriction. Minimizing the further spread of the corona virus remains a top priority.
Our World Airnews brand ambassador and business development officer Derek

Nseko gives an overview of the current situation

lbany International Airport in the
AUnited States has become the fi rst
to start using a new blockchain-powered
smartphone application that uses QR codes

to show passengers real-time tracking of

cleaning of touchpoints and surfaces through- s the threat of a second wave of Covid-19 infections locked
out terminals, restaurants and other areas. A down a few countries in Europe such as the UK and France,

Wellness Trace is GE's new application that we turn to our African airlines and ask how is our continent fairing
the company envisions establishing a com- under the prevailing circumstances?

munity among airline travellers similar to It seems that the degree of travel restrictions among airlines

Waze where they can check the app to get a depends on the protocols put forward by the respective author-

sense of the cleanest areas of the airport. ities in the various countries across Africa. African airlines are

In the coming weeks, the airport and flying a rainbow of protocols with some countries imposing strict-
GE are expected to unveil other advanced er measures than others.

artificial intelligence, machine learning and The different rules and guidelines across some of the major

other digital technologies being deployed travel corridors in Africa are looked at against the background
as part of this burgeoning Digital Incubator. learn more about the corona virus and how its spreads. Travel is
Albany started using the app after a now being informed by research among various prominent or-

three-month trial and has now put into ganisations in the aviation sector and news of a possible vaccine
operation with more than 45 QR barcodes has aired.

located throughout the airport. IATA -IT’S SAFER THAN YOU THINK
“We believe the digital vision Albany

International Airport is advancing is exactly The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently standards. This has not changed as we forge a path through and past

the kind of template airports and airlines demonstrated the low incidence of inflight COVID-19 transmission the corona virus crisis. A recent IATA study found that 86% of recent
will need to ensure safe, healthy travel with an updated tally of published cases. This to illustrate to the travellers felt that the industry’s COVID-19 measures were keeping

through the COVID-19 pandemic and travelling public that flying is safer than most people think. them safe and were well-implemented. How does the shifting land-

beyond,” said Andrew Coleman, general Since the start of 2020 there have been 44 cases of COVID-19 report- scape of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions look across Africa and

manager of GE Aviation’s Digital Group ed in which transmission is thought to have been associated with a what are the varying levels of restrictions that airlines and travellers

Coleman said that Albany's close proxim- "The use of GE’s cutting-edge Wellness a rest stop on their way to the airport, they flight. Over the same period some 1.2 billion passengers have travelled, are dealing with to kick-start travel?

ity to their digital research lab located in Trace App is a major first step in our joint can check Wellness Trace to find a clean on this evidence the risk of a passenger contracting COVID-19 while on- SOUTH AFRICA
efforts to integrate new digital solutions

Niskayuna, New York made it the perfect to create safer travel in a post-pandemic one. If travellers need to grab a bite to eat board an aircraft appears very low. That’s one case for every 27 million
near the airport, they can check Wellness

location to launch Wellness Trace and world,” Philip Calderone, CEO of the Albany Trace for the cleanest restaurants nearby. travellers. Government has relaxed South Africa’s level 1 lockdown rules around

evaluate its ability to reinforce passenger County Airport Authority said. It has further been illustrated that certain aircraft design char- international travel, allowing visitors from any country provided

confidence in the cleanliness of the airport. While in the airport, travellers can walk acteristics add a layer of protection that will mean an even lower they follow health and safety guidelines and can provide proof of a

with confidence knowing the environment

Passengers will be able to simply scan the Passengers traveling to Albany will also around them is now transparent and they incidence of inflight transmission. According to what IATA has negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of entry.
QR barcode stickers with their mobile device be able to use the app to check the cleanli- can access cleaning information with just a published, these include: In a recent address SA President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the

ness of restaurants near the airport as well.

and receive an instant status update for when quick scan from their mobile phone camera. • Limited face-to-face interactions as passengers face forward easing of these restrictions is to enable all parts of the economy to

a given object or area was last cleaned. “It’s exciting that Albany International The most exciting part is that travellers get a and move about very little. return to full operation as quickly and as safely as possible

GE developed Wellness Trace using Airport is partnering with GE on cutting voice and can become part of a community • The effect of the seat-back acting as a physical barrier to air Passengers will be screened on arrival and those presenting
Microsoft Azure's blockchain service and edge technology that may help travellers where their voice will be heard, and the movement from one row to another. symptoms will be required to have a Covid-19 test.

feel safer since COVID-19 has changed

is bringing it to Albany after first launching experience is free for the public. • The minimization of forward-aft flow of air, with a segment- Travelers will be required to download the COVID Alert South

the technology in partnership with farm- our world,” said Albany County Executive Passengers will be able to simply scan the ed flow design which is directed generally downward from Africa mobile app, in order to keep track and minimize exposure
Daniel P. McCoy.

to-table food traceability solution provider QR barcode stickers with their mobile device ceiling to floor. within the South African borders.

TE Food and Luxembourg-based lab testing “Being able to scan a QR code and know and receive an instant status update for when • The high rate of fresh air coming into the cabin. Air is ex- HOW ARE AIRLINES ADAPTING?

service supplier Eurofins. the last time that surface at the airport was a given object or area was last cleaned. changed 20-30 times per hour on board most aircraft, which

Coleman believes the application could cleaned may alleviate some of the stress After a three-month trial, GE Aviation compares very favourably with the average office space • Social distancing: In agreement with the plan to return to full

also be used by airlines in a similar way to and uncertainty people are feeling as they and Albany Airport officials will review the (average 2-3 times per hour) or schools (average 10-15 times economic operation, the Ministry of Transport in South Africa

venture out and bring back a sense of confi-

demonstrate cleanliness in the cabin. dence. Any reassurance we can give people experience to discuss any updates or im- per hour). placed no restrictions on the number of people that may board an

"It could be integrated into every as they travel that they are doing so safely provements that could be made to App. • -The use of HEPA filters which have more than 99.9% bacte- aircraft, with the only exception that there be an empty row at the

seatback screen, the QR codes could also is important.” Wellness Trace is part of GE’s blockchain ria/virus removal efficiency rate ensuring that the air supply back to isolate anyone who becomes ill on board.
South African low cost airline FlySafair, however, respects that
be scanned as passengers are boarding. solutions portfolio that is expanding its entering the cabin is not a pathway for introducing microbes.

Lavatories and other high-traffic areas in WHAT DOES THE APP DO? definition of safety in the future by offering Original Aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Airbus and Embraer have some customers might prefer the peace of mind that could

come with ensuring that the middle seat is left open anyway,

the cabin, are other options to consider as The app will offer the unique ability for the food traceability solutions, fuel assurance backed this up with their own research. This research effort demon- and so have made the option available to those who wish to

well," Coleman said. public to provide real time feedback into solutions and maintenance solutions. For strates the co-operation and dedication to safety of all involved in secure it. They have further explained that because leaving

Airport officials are also considering ex- the cleanliness of their travel experience. more information check out air transport and provides evidence that cabin air is safe. seats open severely constrains an airline's ability to earn, the

panding its use for health screenings. For example, if a traveller needs to stop at www.geaviation.com/wellnesstrace Q Aviation earns its reputation on maintaining the highest safety facility comes at a fee of R750 per person.

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