TORONTO — The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which operates and maintains Toronto Pearson, recently launched its “Healthy-Airport” commitment, a comprehensive program that outlines the steps the airport and its partners are taking to be ready for the new realities of air travel, and to lead the aviation industry in advancing the future of healthy travel corridors. The announcement also includes a strategic partnership with Canadian technology company BlueDot, a leader in advanced data analytics and technologies to predict and monitor infectious-disease risks.
The 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,” says 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’re intent on exceeding international standards. Everyone who works at Toronto Pearson is dedicated to playing a leadership role in fulfilling the health-protection measures and adapting quickly to changes and future standards.”
Passengers will experience the airport’s five-point Healthy-Airport commitment, which includes the highest standards for cleaning and hygiene, clear communications and the introduction of innovative technology advancements, including touchless check-in, a disinfection corridor for airport workers, facility monitoring for congestion, autonomous floor-cleaning machines and air quality monitors. Additionally, the GTAA has partnered with BlueDot to monitor and manage risk from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
In addition to measures introduced by the GTAA on June 1 — mandatory masks, limited access to airport facilities, continued enhanced cleaning and hygiene and increased signage for physical distancing — the Healthy Airport announcement includes the following commitment to passengers and airport workers:
- making passenger and employee health its top priority
- working with partners to set strong, consistent standards for passenger and airport worker health
- deploying multi-layered tools and adjust quickly to changes and current intelligence
- ensuring its approach is best in class and aligned with international aviation standards
- exploring innovative and technologically advanced solutions for ensuring the safety of passengers and employees
Many of the 400-plus organizations operating out of Toronto Pearson — including air carriers and transit agencies — are implementing health and cleaning measures and are working with the GTAA to ensure employees comply with the airport’s new commitment, as well as with requirements established by federal, provincial and municipal health authorities. In addition to conducting airport-wide workforce education sessions, the GTAA has worked with public-health officials and a growing number of airport employers to develop a voluntary COVID-19 case log. Moreover, the GTAA is working with Wipro, a global technology leader, to conduct a pilot of wearable tracing and physical-distancing technology for airport workers.
