Security has been a top issue at airports since the beginning of flight. There has always been concerns about airfield breaches, safety in the terminal and making sure operations run smoothly.

Mitigating terrorism and violent threats has risen to the forefront of airport security since 2001. Technology has advanced and designers are tackling issues to prevent violent attacks in the airports and aircraft.

But the recent outbreak of Coronavirus is showing airports need to think about taking steps to protect staff and travelers from threats they can’t even see.

The outbreak seemed like a distant issue in the start. Most Americans never heard of Wuhan, China before it started and the threat seemed to be a million miles away.

But the world is more connected in 2020 than ever before, so it took just days to reach other Asian countries and less than a week to make landfall in the U.S.

Passenger screenings at major port of entries can catch hosts, but airlines and airports need to think beyond the screenings to mitigate safety during the travel experience. Air purification systems, building materials, custodial work and other options are available today to mitigate an outbreak.

Stopping an outbreak isn’t an easy task and there’s no silver bullet. Even thinking an airport or airplane could be fully insulated from disease isn’t a pipedream at best, a foolish effort at most.

But taking steps to lesson an outbreak’s reach is something we need to think about now. Lessening the impact can save lives and protect the public.

The challenges you face are constant, but hopefully this issue will be front and center for everyone upgrading their facilities and operations plans. 

Your airport is the gateway to the world for your community. This makes you a front line in protecting the community from an outbreak. Let’s hope you community leaders understand that as well.