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Qatar Airways introduces Honeywell’s UV Cabin System

Mariyam Malsa
01 October 2020, MVT 14:49
(FILES) This file photo shows a Qatar Airways aircraft coming in for a landing at Los Angeles International Airport. PHOTO: FREDERIC J. BROWN/ AFP
Mariyam Malsa
01 October 2020, MVT 14:49

Qatar Airways introduced Honeywell’s Ultraviolet (UV) Cabin System as a measure to further advance hygiene measures onboard, becoming the first global carrier to utilise the technology.

Operated by Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), the Honeywell UV Cabin System is approximately the size of a beverage cart and has extendable UV arms that treat aircraft seats, surfaces and cabins without using cleaning chemicals.

During several clinical tests, UV light was demonstrated as being capable of inactivating various viruses and bacteria with proper application.

Qatar Airways revealed that the six initially received Honeywell UV Cabin Systems were extensively tested before the decision to formally introduce them aboard flights was finalised. The airline also noted plans to acquire additional units for all aircraft turnarounds at Qatar Airways' main hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA).

"We are pleased to be the first global airline to operate the Honeywell UV Cabin System onboard our aircraft", stated Qatar Airways Group's Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker.

"During these unprecedented times, the health and safety of our crew and passengers continues to be of the utmost importance. Since the start of the pandemic, we have been regularly introducing new and effective safety and hygiene measures onboard our aircraft".

Honeywell Aerospace President EMEAI James Currier stated, "Honeywell has technology today that can make air travel safer – from the traveller to the airport worker, throughout the airport and onboard the aircraft. We’re working across business lines to develop new products such as Honeywell ThermoRebellion, a new temperature-monitoring solution, Environmental Control System Check, which allows airlines to monitor air flow in the cabin, and an array of Personal Protective Equipment. All this allows for cleaner and safer airports".

The UV Cabin System was introduced as a supplement to Qatar Airways’ regular protocols of disinfection using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The airline’s onboard linen and blankets are also washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while headsets are rigorously sanitised following each flight. All aforementioned items are sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.

Additionally, Qatar Airways’ aircraft are equipped with industrial-size high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that remove 99.97 percent of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the effective protection against infection.

In July, Qatar Airways introduced new personal protective equipment (PPE), including face shields for passengers and a disposable protective gown fitted over uniforms for cabin crew, in addition to safety glasses, gloves and a mask. All Qatar Airways passengers are provided with a complimentary protective kit including a single-use face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. Business Class customers receive an additional 75ml sanitiser gel tube.

Furthermore, Business Class passengers equipped with Qsuite, an award-winning business seat, can enjoy enhanced privacy including sliding partitions and a ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indicator. Qsuite is available on flights to more than 30 destinations including London, Paris, and Frankfurt.

Other safety measures implemented aboard flights in response to the COVID-19 pandemic include serving Business Class meals covered on a tray instead of a table set up, along with a cutlery wrap to minimise contact between crew and passengers. Qatar Airways has also introduced single-use menu cards and sealed refreshing wipes. Economy Class meals and cutlery are served sealed as usual, although menu cards were temporarily discontinued. All social areas onboard aircrafts were closed to adhere to social distancing measures.

HIA, the airline’s hub in Doha, has introduced UV-C disinfectant robots, which are fully autonomous mobile devices that emit concentrated UV-C light in high passenger flow areas to reduce the spread of pathogens. HIA's Oryx Airport Hotel also utilises UV-C light to ensure thorough disinfection.

Overall, HIA also implements stringent hygienic procedures and social distancing measures. Passenger touchpoints are sanitized every 10-15 minutes while boarding gates and bus gate counters are cleaned after each flight. Hand sanitizers are available at immigration and security screening points throughout the airport.

Qatar Airways currently operates over 650 weekly flights to over 90 destinations, providing travel options to more global destinations than any other airline.

In 2019, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ at the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of Qsuite. It is the only airline to have received the 'Skytrax Airline of the Year', which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, on a total of five occasions.

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