Fri, Mar 13, 2020
Testified Wednesday Before The House Appropriations Committee
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told a Congressional committee Wednesday that the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus is no higher on airplanes than in any other setting.
Dickson was testifying before the House Appropriations Committee concerning the agency's proposed 2021 budget when the question about the virus was raised by Rep. David Price (D-NC). The Hill reports that Price continually pressed Dickson about the dangers of contracting the disease by breathing recirculated air on commercial airliners.
Dickson disputed the characterization. “The air quality within commercial aircraft is on par with what we see in public buildings and within homes,” Dickson said. “The risk to the public is no higher than it would be any area where you have folks gathered.”
“All the air carriers have reviewed their cleaning protocols and the substances they are using, both on the flight deck and back in the passenger cabin,” Dickson said. “The CDC has updated them within the last week and we have provided that information to air carriers.”
Dickson said that the FAA has been involved in the efforts to contain the virus since it was detected. “We have been helping to put processes in place on passenger screening and contact tracing when that is warranted and supporting the CDC’s efforts," he said during the hearing.
The COVID-19 virus has caused airlines to cut the number of flights it offers, and some are waiving cancellation fees for passengers. Airline stocks have also suffered heavy losses since the virus gained traction in the U.S.
On Wednesday, President Trump imposed a travel ban for people coming to the U.S. from several European countries in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.
(Image from file)
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]