ACI World issues new COVID-19 airport security guidance

The new Aviation Smart Security Playbook from ACI World has been developed in collaboration with Deloitte and is designed to assist airports in providing a safe, secure and hygienic experience for passengers, staff and the public during COVID-19.

The guidance provides airports with practical and ready-to-implement solutions to ensure operational readiness as they prepare for gradual increase in passenger traffic.

The guidance focuses on:

• Pre-security measures
• Security and control measures
• Primary security considerations
• Passenger expectations
• Creating a decision framework for control measures.

“As airports around the world restart operations, providing important connectivity and essential operations, their primary focus is on protecting the health and welfare of passengers and staff, as well as to minimise the opportunities for dissemination of disease,” ACI World Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliveira said.

“The entire aviation ecosystem is adjusting to the complexities of the ‘new normal’ and responding to the needs and expectations of passengers is crucial in rebuilding confidence that air travel is safe.

“Aviation will be a key engine driving the long-term global economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19 and these guidelines are intended to assist airports during the initial phases of business restart as well as the longer-term recovery process.

“Our collaboration with Deloitte on this guidance is an example of the collaborative approach which will be key to this sustainable recovery.”

In making use of the guidance, airports should assess the local conditions and requirements – and the security or passenger needs on the ground – and should consider the long-term benefits of any new measure.