TORONTO — Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam have joined forces to promote a new message – #FlyWithConfidence – and a new video.
Together the three global airline alliances represent more than 50% of the world’s air traffic.
The video, called ‘Dear Travellers’, offers a quick but reassuring look at what passengers can expect on flights over the coming months as the COVID-19 travel restrictions ease, and borders continue to reopen.
“Safety has always been at the core of our member airlines’ operations and this will absolutely continue to be the case,” says oneworld CEO Rob Gurney. “With the additional health and well-being measures that have been implemented by our member airlines, and across the industry, customers can embark on their travel with the utmost confidence.”
- He adds that health and safety measures, all highlighted in the video, include:
- Requirements or recommendations for passengers and airline staff to wear face masks both at the airport and onboard, consistent with applicable public health guidelines
- A safe airport environment with physical distancing in all required areas
- Increased and intensified sanitation with a focus on high-touch areas, both on the ground and in the aircraft cabin
- Hospital-grade high-efficiency air filters on board modern aircraft. Known as HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air), these filters extract 99.99% of particles and airborne contaminants
“The safety and well-being of passengers and employees have always been our members’ number one priority,” says Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam’s CEO. “We have seen an incredible level of cooperation within the entire aviation community to implement multiple layers of protection around health and hygiene. Passengers can be assured that when they travel many actions have been taken to enhance their personal safety in the airport, and the air.”
Adds Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Star Alliance: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with multiple stakeholders2 in the industry to deliver, in unison, a message to provide peace of mind to customers that health and hygiene safety in air travel is front and centre in the industry’s agenda. We are facing the biggest challenge in the history of our industry but we are equally determined to overcome it through measures that restore confidence in air travel, so that we can connect people and cultures across the world once again.”
Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam have all separately announced initiatives that focus on a multi-layered approach to safe operations, meeting or exceeding the stringent measures recommended by health experts, regulators and leading industry bodies.
