As Hi Fly continues to play the key role in repatriating those stranded internationally amid the global Coronavirus (COVID 19) Pandemic, the company has taken a range of medical preparations, and introduced safety measures, to protect passengers and flight crews on repatriation flights.
To respond quickly to any emergency, Hi Fly has established several ‘Covid Ready To Go’ Teams.
The responsibilities of the emergency response leadership team have been to brief all crews, technical staff and engineers on the virus and its implications and dangers; to properly coordinate the distribution of all protective equipment; to monitor emergency medical stocks onboard aircraft and ensure the arrival of fresh supplies as required; to act as a link between Hi Fly’s aircrews and the company medical department, and to assemble the medical kits for Hi Fly aircraft.
The emergency response team, whose motto is “Expect the best but prepare for the worst,” is in regular contact and takes its lead from Hi Fly medical department.
So all Hi Fly repatriation flights are all fully equipped with masks, safety suits, aprons gowns, disinfectants, gloves, biohazard bags and other relevant kit. All Hi Fly’s regular non-repatriation crews have also been issued with protection equipment.
Hi Fly aircrews have also been issued with three levels of safety clothing. All should have already received protective gowns, eye protectors, facemasks and disposable gloves.
Aircrew have been fully briefed as to onboard risks and all Hi Fly repatriation flights will now have a protected ‘Crew Only’ area. This will offer crews some space and privacy to get in and out of protective clothing and to ensure decontamination procedures are carried out correctly.
To date, all Hi Fly crews should have fully briefed on: what we know about Covid-2; passengers likely to be boarding repatriation flights, the contents of medical kits, how kits are to be used and in what situation. What measures should be taken to protect the crew; what do if a passenger shows symptoms of the virus and on a range of post-flight procedures related to the plane and potentially infected passengers.
After repatriation flights land, procedures will differ depending on the country of arrival. Information on, possible testing on arrival, or isolation procedures will be given to passengers on a case by case basis.
