SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld: "Aircraft Are Safe Zones from COVID-19"

Jointly Produced Video 'Dear Travelers' Released

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] The world's three major airline alliances?SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld?are taking joint action to alleviate passengers' concerns about air travel amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to the aviation industry on the 14th, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld released a jointly produced video titled "Dear Travelers" on the 9th, emphasizing that air travel is safe despite COVID-19. Among domestic airlines, Korean Air is a member of SkyTeam, while Asiana Airlines belongs to Star Alliance.

The video highlights measures such as ▲passengers and airline staff wearing masks at airports and onboard ▲creating a safe environment through social distancing within airports ▲hygiene management for disinfecting ground facilities and cabins ▲and blocking 99.99% of airborne contaminants onboard using HEPA filters.

Christine Colville, CEO of SkyTeam, stated, "We have achieved cooperation across various sectors of the aviation industry to enhance health and hygiene standards."

Korean Air is also actively promoting "safe air travel" on its own. The recently released video "Waiting for You, We Are" features Chairman Cho Won-tae of Hanjin Group and about 30 employees disinfecting the cabin. It shows the use of a dedicated disinfectant (MD-125) to sanitize all areas passengers may contact, including overhead bins, monitors, seat belts, meal tables, and restrooms.

In practice, Korean Air has been enforcing mask and face shield wearing during check-in and throughout the flight except meal times, and since last month, it has implemented zone boarding to board passengers by designated areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.