Several flight departments have asked us about what best practices they should be following during this challenging operating period with COVID-19, as well as any insights we have into what others are doing.

We quick poll of our trip support teams and reached out to our customers for their thoughts. We got some great information back:

• Keep a daily log of where you’ve been: Do this for passengers and crew. Most countries are requiring health questionnaires and documentation of travel history. Start a daily diary documenting where you’ve been so that you are prepared. 14 days minimum, but longer is better. Even if you’re currently grounded, you’ll need this once restrictions are lifted. Here’s a travel log one of our customers shared with us.
• Individual insurance: Be prepared to show proof of your own individual health insurance policies when operating internationally. Several countries such as Israel and Colombia require travelers to show proof they have funds to cover medical costs should they be quarantined or hospitalized.
• Be honest: It is imperative that you are honest with the authorities regarding your travel and health history. It is in the best interest of both you and everyone else. Convince your passengers of the same.
• Have patience: Things are not going to operate per usual. Regardless of where you go, be prepared for things to take longer. Everything will be under additional and heightened scrutiny, and there will likely be extra health screening measures and precautions.
• Be flexible: There is no black and white when it comes to operating restrictions. Despite what an official government policy or circular may say, everything is subject to “interpretation” by authorities on the ground.
• Insurance claim documentation: Document any trip that has canceled due to coronavirus restrictions. Many operators have already sunk costs into trips that were canceled last-minute. For others, a cancellation is a loss in business revenue. This will help as you’re navigating your claim options with your insurance company.
• Follow OEM guidance on aircraft sanitizing: Many have issued guidelines in direct response to coronavirus.
• Consider at-risk crew: Assess if any crew members fall within an at-risk category before assigning them to a flight. Several flight departments mentioned this one.
• Crew should wear N95 masks and gloves when flying: Many flight departments are already doing this and some locations like Hong Kong are asking crew to bring their own protective gear because of local shortages.
• Keep crew pairs consistently matched: Avoid rotating and intermingling individual crew members into different crew pairing.  This can help limit exposure to the entire flight crew. 
• Hold crew in reserve: If possible, consider holding some crew back in reserve in case assigned crew members become symptomatic.

If you have additional tips to share, click the button below to send me a note. I’ll review and determine if it make since to add it to this article.

Stay safe!