Hardly any other industry is affected by the current pandemic as much as aviation. The majority of the airlines have reduced the route program to a minimum, and some airlines are temporarily completely ceasing to operate. But how can cabin personnel and passengers be adequately protected from infection on the few flights that are still taking place?
Air Asia relies on a special uniform
Air Asia is now offering a solution. In order to meet the increased hygiene and safety requirements on board, the Malaysian low-cost airline is equipping the cabin crew with a specially designed “corona uniform”.
Instead of wearing a figure-hugging outfit, the crew should now take care of safety and food during the flight in a full body suit. After all, the “new” uniform has something in common with the old one: it is also in red.
Only the eyes flash under the "corona uniform"
It is hard to imagine that there is a person under the protective clothing. The face of the stewardesses and stewards is protected by a curved plastic visor; underneath another covering shields the mouth and nose. The red hood of the suit hides the hair – only the eyes still flash out. The protective clothing is rounded off by gloves.
The red protective suits were used for the first time in a return campaign on April 24 by Filipino citizens who were stranded in Thailand. Further flights with the “Corona Uniform” to Thailand, India and Indonesia are to follow in May.
Are European airlines following suit?
Air Asia is not the first airline to introduce such a concept. Philippine Airlines also wants to regain the trust of its passengers so that regular air traffic can be resumed as quickly as possible.
It remains to be seen whether Asian airlines are pioneers for European airlines. On flights of the German Lufthansa Group, all crew members and passengers must wear a mask until August 31. It is no longer necessary to keep the middle seats free. The company says that wearing the mask provides adequate health protection.