Covid-19 updates

COVID-19 Update 65

Friday 19 June 2020

Dear AOA Member,

As we prepare for the weekend, news has broken that the UK’s coronavirus alert level has been downgraded from four to three, according to the Chief Medical Officers. The change in alert level is expected to lead to a series of changes in COVID-19 policy from the Government, including a review of the current 2 metre social distancing guidelines. Today AOA has been working with the Department for Transport to provide evidence for how a reduction in the distance would help UK airports and make several processes more practicable.

I also joined a call with the Health and Safety Executive, DfT and some AOA members considering how risk assessments are being used throughout the passenger journey’s key stakeholders. Sharing good practice will be crucial in this area, particularly as understanding of Covid continues to improve, and members are reminded that AOA’s Health and Safety working group will have this as a key focus for the foreseeable future.

Finally, the AOA has worked with one of our associate members, Cyrrus Ltd, on an advice note for the storage and transportation of fuel at airports during the unusual operational circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis. The note walks through the implications of the impending restart and recovery of the UK aviation industry on fuel storage and ends with a few recommendations for airport operators. I’d like to thank all who were involved in the drafting of this important advice note, particularly our colleagues at Cyrrus Ltd, and hope that this is of use to members.

Best wishes,

Karen Dee
Chief Executive