As the first global carrier to implement Honeywell's Ultraviolet (UV) Cabin System, Qatar Airways takes in-flight hygiene measures even further. Clinical tests show that UV light, when applied properly, can inactivate a variety of viruses and bacteria. Approximately the size of a bar cart, the system has extendable UV arms that clean aircraft seats, surfaces and cabinets without using chemicals.
Six Honeywell UV Cabin Systems received were extensively tested on Qatar Airways aircraft before being put into service. The airline aims to employ additional units in the near future to operate the devices at all aircraft return locations at Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to be the first global airline to deploy the Honeywell UV Cabin System on our aircraft. Clinical tests show that UV light, when properly applied in certain doses, can inactivate a variety of viruses and bacteria. In this unprecedented period, the health and safety of our crew and passengers continues to be of paramount importance to us. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been regularly implementing new and effective safety and hygiene measures on our aircraft, based on our unique expertise in stable flying. ”
James Currier, Head of Honeywell Aerospace EMEAI, said: “Honeywell has the technology to make the entire travel process at the airport and on the plane safer, from passengers to airport employees. We work on many business lines, including the Honeywell ThermoRebellion, a new heat monitoring solution, developing new products such as the 'Environmental Control System Audit' that allows airlines to monitor the air flow in the cabin and a range of 'Personal Protective Equipment'. All of these allow planes and airports to be cleaner and safer. ”He said in the form.
Qatar Airways aircraft will continue to be regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Honeywell UV Cabinet System will be used as an additional step after manual disinfection to ensure the highest standards of cleaning. While the airline continues to wash, dry and press its in-flight linens and blankets at temperatures that destroy germs, it continues to carefully disinfect its headphones after each flight. These products are placed in separate packages by personnel wearing hygienic disposable gloves.
Qatar Airways' aircraft also feature state-of-the-art air filtration systems equipped with industrial-grade HEPA filters that eliminate 99.97% of viral and bacterial contamination and provide the most effective protection against infection.
In July, Qatar Airways further increased in-flight health and safety measures by introducing new personal protective equipment (PPE) for its passengers and cabin crew. Among the airline's strict measures, in addition to safety glasses, gloves and a mask; A disposable protective apron worn over their uniforms for the cabin crew, as well as face shields for all passengers, were included.
On board, all Qatar Airways passengers are provided with a free protective kit. A disposable face mask, large size disposable powder-free gloves and alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel are provided in a sealed pouch. Business Class customers also receive a 75 ml tube of gel disinfectant. Additionally, Business Class customers on Qatar Airways' aircraft equipped with its award-winning business seat, Qsuite, are offered the option of "Do Not Disturb (DND)" indication if they want more privacy with sliding compartments and fully closed doors and limit their interaction with cabin crew.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the airline has taken different additional health and safety measures in addition to these measures it has implemented in its flights. In order to minimize contact between the crew and passengers, Business Class meals were served on a tray instead of table layout, and cutlery packages were offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery. Qatar Airways has also expanded the application with disposable menu cards and indoor refreshing wipes. Economy class meals and cutlery are served covered as usual, and menu cards are temporarily out of use. In addition, all social areas on the plane have been closed due to social distance measures.
HIA, the airline's headquarters in Doha, has also launched UV-C disinfectant robots, consisting of fully autonomous mobile devices that emit concentrated UV-C light and placed in high passenger flow areas to reduce the spread of pathogens. Hamad International Airport (HIA), the hub for Qatar Airways, implements strict cleaning procedures and social distancing measures throughout its terminals. Passenger contact points are sterilized at 10-15 minutes intervals and boarding gates and bus doors are cleaned after each flight. In addition, there are hand disinfectants at passport and security screening points.
Qatar Airways, which has many awards, was named the "Best Airline in the World" by the 2019 World Airline Awards, administered by the international air transport rating agency Skytrax. In addition, with Qsuite, its groundbreaking Business Class experience, it was named "Best Airline in the Middle East", "World's Best Business Class" and "Best Business Class Seat". Qatar Airways is also the only airline to receive the coveted "Skytrax Airline of the Year" title five times, regarded as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry. On the other hand, Merkez HIA was selected as the "Best Airport in the Middle East" and "The Third Best Airport in the World" by the 'Skytrax World Airport Awards 2020'.
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