Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which operates and maintains Toronto Pearson, today launched its Healthy Airport program, which outlines steps the airport and its partners are taking to be ready for the new realities of air travel. Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) states this new five-point commitment is designed to lead the aviation industry in advancing the future of healthy travel corridors.
Development of the program includes a strategic partnership with BlueDot, a Canadian company that provides data analytics and technologies to predict and monitor infectious disease risks. “BlueDot is incredibly proud to partner with the GTAA to use advanced data analytics and digital technologies to stay a step ahead of global infectious disease risks,” said Dr. Kamran Khan, founder and CEO of BlueDot and practicing infectious disease physician.
GTAA notes Toronto Pearson’s Healthy Airport commitment and health measures are aligned with the global aviation measures established by the International Civil Aviation Authority, International Air Transport Association, and Transport Canada’s framework for addressing COVID-19 and the recovery of the aviation sector.
“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,” said Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the GTAA. “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.”
The airport’s five-point Healthy Airport commitment includes new standards for cleaning and hygiene, clear communications and the introduction of innovative technology advancements, which itself includes 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 it introduced on June 1, including mandatory masks, limited access to airport facilities, continued enhanced cleaning and hygiene and increased signage for physical distancing, the GTAA described its Healthy Airport program with the following commitment to passengers and airport workers:
• We commit to making passenger and employee health our top priority;
• We commit to working with our partners to set strong, consistent standards for passenger and airport worker health;
• We will deploy multi-layered tools and adjust quickly to changes and current intelligence;
• We will ensure our approach is best in class and aligned with international aviation standards; and
• We will explore all innovative and technologically advanced solutions for ensuring the safety of our passengers and employees.
Many of the 400-plus organizations operating out of Toronto Pearson are implementing health and cleaning measures, and are working with the 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.
The GTAA is working with Wipro to conduct a pilot of wearable tracing and physical distancing technology for airport workers. “Wipro, through our deep domain expertise and experience in implementing digital innovations and technologies, is assisting the airport in bringing the Healthy Airport concept to life,” said Sahadev Singh, VP and global head, Wipro Limited. “This is enabled through a bouquet of contactless solutions and digital technologies for enhancing the passengers’ safety and experience. Working together with the airport stakeholders we strive to safeguard the health and safety of passengers and airport staff.”
