IATA: Chances of COVID-19 transmission during inflight very low

As per a Press Release [No. 81] published on October 8, 2020, the IATA, demonstrating the low incidence of inflight COVID-19 transmissions has come to the finding that “Research Points to Low Risk for COVID-19 Transmission Inflight”.

By IATA here is implied the International Air Transport Association. Representing 82% of total air traffic or around 290 airlines, the IATA is the trade association for airlines worldwide. The IATA supports various areas of aviation activity, assisting in the formulation of industry policy on critical issues related to aviation.

As per the IATA Press Release, “Since the start of 2020 there have been 44 cases of COVID-19 reported in which transmission is thought to have been associated with a flight journey [inclusive of confirmed, probable and potential cases]. Over the same period some 1.2 billion passengers have traveled.”

This insight into the extremely few incidents of COVID-19 inflight infections is based on an updated tally of published cases.

44 cases among 1.2 billion travellers works out to around 1 case for every 27 million travellers. A figure that is “extremely reassuring”, according to Dr David Powell, Medical Advisor, IATA. Furthermore, as per Dr Powell, most of the published cases of COVID-19 inflight occurred before the wearing of face covering during the flight became widespread.

The reasoning behind the numbers being so low can be found in the joint publication by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer of Computational Fluid Dynamics [CFD] research conducted separately by each of the manufacturers in their aircraft.

Even with methodologies varying from aircraft to aircraft, each detailed simulation confirmed that the spread of virus is limited inflight as the airflow systems do control the movement of particles within the cabin.

Other factors that reduce the risk of disease transmission on board even under normal circumstances are – mask-wearing by passengers and crew, the backs of the seats working as natural barriers, the downward flow of air, High Efficiency Particulate Air [HEPA] filters, and high rates of air exchange.

Providing evidence of cabin air being safe, the latest research by the IATA demonstrates the cooperation as well as dedication to safety of all involved in air transport.

The combination of measured being adopted by the airlines is indeed providing reassurance to travellers globally that COVID-19 has not taken away their freedom to fly.

According to Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, “ … with just 44 published cases of potential inflight COVID-19 transmission among 1.2 billion travelers, the risk of contracting the virus on board appears to be in the same category as being struck by lightning”.

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