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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. Today’s announcement also includes a strategic partnership with BlueDot, a leader in advanced data analytics and technologies to predict and monitor infectious disease risks.
Toronto Pearson’s 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,” said Deborah Flint, president and chief executive officer of the GTAA. “As government restrictions on air travel begin to be lifted and flights increase, Toronto Pearson is ready, and we are 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. We are dedicated each day to providing the pathway for Canadians who are dreaming of the day they can travel again.”
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. The Canadian technology company’s world-leading insights platform will power the GTAA’s commitment to preparedness and resilience.
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 recent Healthy Airport announcement includes the following commitment to passengers and airport workers:
- GTAA commits to making passenger and employee health its top priority.
- GTAA commits to working with its partners to set strong, consistent standards for passenger and airport worker health.
- GTAA will deploy multi-layered tools and adjust quickly to changes and current intelligence.
- GTAA will ensure its approach is best in class and aligned with international aviation standards.
- GTAA will explore all innovative and technologically advanced solutions for ensuring the safety of its 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 their 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.
Passenger confidence in Canada’s travel industry is of the utmost importance, and the Toronto Pearson workforce is dedicated to building public trust that the aviation sector takes health issues and their well-being seriously.
As regional and national rules and restrictions ease in the coming weeks and months, Toronto Pearson employers will continue to work with the Government of Canada to assess risk and to encourage a logical and reasonable return of domestic and international travels.
“Toronto Pearson’s ‘Healthy Airport’ initiative demonstrates leadership and a commitment of the airport and its partners to ensure the health and safety of employees and visitors to the airport during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, interim medical officer of health, Region of Peel.
“The global airport industry is facing unprecedented challenges because of COVID-19. As Toronto Pearson airport is preparing for the ‘new normal’, Wipro, through our deep domain expertise and experience in implementing digital innovations and technologies, is assisting the airport in bringing the Healthy Airport concept to life. This is enabled through a bouquet of contactless solutions and digital technologies for enhancing the passengers’ safety and experience. Working together with the airport stakeholders we strive to safeguard the health and safety of passengers and airport staff,” Sahadev Singh, vice-president and global head, Wipro Limited.
“Smarter airports deliver a safer experience for travellers. And safer travellers contribute to a healthier world. BlueDot is incredibly proud to partner with the GTAA to use advanced data analytics and digital technologies to stay a step ahead of global infectious disease risks,” added Dr. Kamran Khan, founder and CEO of BlueDot and practicing infectious disease physician.
“Airport workers want to see the return of travel. The future of our airport community will be shaped by our collective response to this unprecedented crisis. The Toronto Airport Workers’ Council has worked closely with the GTAA to develop and re-invest in industry leading health and safety standards. We remain committed to making passenger and workers’ health our top priority while ensuring these changes benefit all who fly through and work at our airport. We look forward to welcoming travellers back into Toronto Pearson, a model for healthy airports everywhere,” said Steven Tufts, dpokesperson, Toronto Airport Workers’ Council.
