ACI World issues guidance for security screening during COVID-19 pandemic
Best practices will help protect security screeners, passengers and other staff
Montreal, 20 March 2020 – As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to unfold, Airports Council International (ACI) World has issued new best practice guidance on airport security screening to help protect screeners, passengers and staff while preserving security.
The Advisory Bulletin – 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 not only includes provision of protective equipment, staff hygiene practices, and sanitization material, but also 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,” Angela 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.”
Notes for editors
- Read the Advisory Bulletin – Security screening best practices during COVID-19.
- ACI World has created a hub for all information, bulletins and updates on COVID-19 on its website.
- Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, customer-centric and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2020, ACI serves 668 members, operating 1979 airports in 176 countries.
Media contacts
Bojana Jeremic
Manager, External Relations and Special Events
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero
Sabrina Guerrieri
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1200
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero