FIJI TIMES: The risk of transmission of the Ebola virus to flight crew during air travel is low, says Fiji Airways managing director and CEO Stefan Pichler.
Apart from adhering to strict international guidelines, he said aircrew had access to personal protective equipment on every flight.
Pichler said they acted on the advice of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“Additionally the airline receives real-time guidance from its many partner agencies on inflight safety and health,” he said.
“Currently, the risk of transmission of Ebola during air travel and its transmission to crew during transit is low.
“We are in constant contact with the health authorities and our partners for new information which may affect our flights or our crew.
“Universal precaution kits and additional personal protective equipment are loaded on each flight as a precaution.”
Pichler also said there were active exit screenings in countries facing the Ebola outbreak.
“At most airports, people travelling from the worst-affected countries — Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea — face a questionnaire about their recent travel history, who they have been in contact with and their onward travel arrangements.”
Concerns were raised about the health safety of flight attendants and pilots as the national carrier flies regularly to global transport hubs Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
The Ebola crisis sparked furor in recent weeks when cases were reported in the US, despite authorities saying the disease was contained within Africa.
A statement by the IATA in August stated that strengthened international co-operation was needed to contain the virus and stop transmission to other countries…
Fiji Times
