Boeing has announced the Confident Travel Initiative, in which it is working with stakeholders across the aviation industry to establish industry-recognised cleaning and disinfecting standards, according to a press release from the aircraft manufacturer.
A ‘significant contributor’ is the air filtration system, which incorporates High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which are similar to filters used in hospitals, the release said.
Jim Haas, director of product marketing, explained that half the cabin air was from outside the aircraft and half was recirculated cabin air. Before recirculated air is returned to the cabin, it passes through the HEPA filters, which remove more than 99,9% of particulate matter present. Air flows from the ceiling to floor, not front to back, which helps minimise particles spreading through the cabin. This recirculation happens every two to three minutes.
The release says although HEPA has not yet been tested with the COVID-19 virus, according to the Mayo Clinic, the average size of a COVID-19 particle is 0,12-0,125 microns. HEPA filters have been tested at these particle sizes and efficiency has been shown to be more than 99,9+%.
Boeing is also evaluating research regarding ultraviolet disinfection that can be used safely and quickly to clean high-touch surfaces in aircraft interiors, such as ultraviolet light wands for disinfection, and using anti-microbial and anti-viral coatings on surfaces and high-touch points throughout the cabin.
