Omicron poses increased risk of getting COVID on a flight, at airport

Dr David Powell, a medical advisor to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the body that regulates international commercial aviation, says that passengers and those using airports are likely to be at higher risk of contracting the Omicron variant.  

OMICRON’S HIGHER TRANSMISSIBILITY

Powell said that the Omicron variant is believed to be two to three times more transmissible for passengers and airport users than the Delta variant.  

“Whatever the risk was with Delta, we would have to assume the risk would be two to three times greater with Omicron, just as we’ve seen in other environments,” he said, as quoted in Business Insider.

Delta and air travel

Powell said that the risk of contracting COVID-19 (from the Delta variant) on a flight had been low though the exact level of transmission was still not known.

Most of the data regarding the transmission of the virus on an aircraft dates back to March 2020, which is before testing regimes, mask-wearing regulations, organised boarding procedures, and a high degree of awareness about not flying when one is unwell came into effect, he said.

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ELEVATED RISK OF TRANSMISSION AT AIRPORTS

Powell warned that airports carry a higher likelihood of the new variant of the virus spreading than on an aircraft.

He said that poor air flows in airport buildings make for higher risks of transmission of the Omicron variant.  He told Bloomberg that the regulations for air flows on an aircraft were generally more stringent than they were for airports. 

In an airport, he said, “There’s much more random movement, much more potential for face-to-face contact, you’ve got generally reduced air flows.”

Powell estimates that ventilation rates in airports are about a 10th of what they are onboard an aircraft.

ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS

Powell says the biggest risk for passengers on an aircraft is that of sitting next to someone who is unwell. He suggests informing the cabin crew if you find yourself close to somebody who is visibly unwell.

His advice for travellers is to protect themselves against Omicron, using the same measures they did for the Delta variant:

• Wear a mask;
• Wash hands frequently;
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
• Avoid common-touch surfaces; and
• Get vaccinated or boosted.

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