Toronto Pearson Airport launches Healthy Airport COVID-19 programme

Credit: Greater Toronto Airports Authority

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which operates and maintains Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), has announced the launch of its ‘Healthy Airport’ commitment – a comprehensive programme that outlines the steps that the airport and its partners are taking to be ready for the new realities of air travel and to lead the aviation industry in advancing the future of healthy travel corridors.

Toronto Pearson’s Healthy Airport commitment and health measures are aligned with the global aviation measures established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Transport Canada’s framework for addressing COVID-19 and the recovery of the aviation sector.

President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Deborah Flint, said: “Toronto Pearson is an international leader in the aviation sector, having set the standard for exceptional passenger service among large North American airports for three years in a row. As government restrictions on air travel begin to be lifted and flights increase, Toronto Pearson is ready, and we are intent on exceeding international standards. Everyone who works at Toronto Pearson is dedicated to playing a leadership role in fulfilling the health protection measures and adapting quickly to changes and future standards. We are dedicated each day to providing the pathway for Canadians who are dreaming of the day they can travel again.”

Credit: Greater Toronto Airports Authority – 220 new hand sanitisers have been installed throughout Toronto Pearson Airport. This will be increasing to 445 by the middle of July.

Passengers will experience Toronto Pearson Airport’s five-point Healthy Airport programme, which includes the highest standards for cleaning and hygiene, clear communications and the introduction of innovative technology advancements – including touchless check-in, a disinfection corridor for airport workers, facility monitoring for congestion, autonomous floor cleaning machines and air quality monitors.

In addition to measures introduced by GTAA at Toronto Pearson Airport on 1 June 2020 – mandatory masks, limited access to airport facilities, continued enhanced cleaning and hygiene and increased signage for physical distancing – the new Healthy Airport announcement includes the following commitment to passengers and airport workers:

• Making passenger and employee health the airport’s top priority
• Working with airport partners to set strong, consistent standards for passenger and airport worker health
• Deploying multi-layered tools and adjusting quickly to changes and current intelligence
• Ensuring the airport’s approach is the best in class and aligned with international aviation standards
• Exploring all innovative and technologically advanced solutions for ensuring the safety of airport passengers and employees.

Credit: Greater Toronto Airports Authority – A staff member at Toronto Pearson Airport disinfects baggage carts in between use with a disinfecting fogging machine

Many of the 400-plus organisations operating out of Toronto Pearson Airport – including air carriers and transit agencies – are implementing health and cleaning measures and are working with GTAA to ensure their employees comply with the airport’s new commitment, as well as with requirements established by federal, provincial and municipal health authorities.

In addition to conducting airport-wide workforce education sessions, GTAA has worked with public health officials and a growing number of airport employers to develop a voluntary COVID-19 case log. Moreover, GTAA is working with a global technology leader to conduct a pilot of wearable tracing and physical distancing technology for airport workers.

Passenger confidence in Canada’s travel industry is of the utmost importance, and the Toronto Pearson Airport workforce is dedicated to building public trust that the aviation sector takes health issues and their well-being seriously.

As regional and national rules and restrictions ease in the coming weeks and months, Toronto Pearson Airport employers will continue to work with the Canadian government to assess risk and to encourage a logical and reasonable return of domestic and international travels.