Heathrow to trial COVID-19 detection tech

Heathrow Airport will trial technology to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, CEO John Holland-Kaye told the government yesterday (Wednesday May 6).

The airport’s CEO informed the House of Commons Transport Committee that concepts under review include UV sanitation for security trays, facial recognition thermal screening technology and contact-free security screening equipment.

Before any new measures are rolled out, they will be reviewed to ensure they are medically grounded, build consumer confidence and are practical for the airport.

The first trials will involve temperature screening using camera detection technology in the immigration hall starting in Terminal 2. If successful, the equipment will be rolled out to departures, connections and colleague search areas.

Temperature screening has previously been used during outbreaks including SARS and Ebola.

Holland-Kaye said, “The UK has the world’s third largest aviation sector offering the platform for the government to take a lead in agreeing a Common International Standard for aviation health with our main trading partners. This standard is key to minimizing transmission of Covid-19 across borders, and the technology we are trialling at Heathrow could be part of the solution.”