San Antonio Airport System Joins Airport Industry Leaders To Launch Airport Consortium On Customer Trust Program

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

October 12, 2020

San Antonio – COVID-19 has had an overwhelming effect on airlines, airports and the entire travel industry, so the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the San Antonio Airport System (SAAS) and several other industry leaders launched a new initiative today. The Airport Consortium on Customer Trust (ACT) Program will use innovative technology, processes and standards in airports to safeguard public health and instill passenger confidence in air travel.

As airports continue to proactively enhance their facilities to protect public health and accelerate recovery efforts, they are researching ideas, solutions and concepts on all levels. The ACT Program brings together, in a dedicated consortium, the nation’s leading airports, stakeholders, thought leaders, and solution providers to share, evaluate, test and launch solutions in airports including:

• Terminal and passenger facility design, configuration, and technology to adapt to COVID-19
• Finance and new revenue generating innovations
• Health screening, monitoring, and testing processes and technologies
• Terminal cleanliness, hygiene and safety, and enabling technologies
• Touchless and self-service systems throughout the passenger journey form curbside to plane (including biometrics)
• Airbridges, bubbles or corridors to promote international travel.

“SAAS continues to reinforce our commitment to passenger safety, our stakeholders and our employees”, said Jesus H. Saenz, Jr, IAP, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. “We were the first airport to purchase and employ the Xenex LightStrike Robot – the only ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology proven to deactivate the COVID-19 virus and joining ACT will allow us to do even more.”

ACT’s goal is to instill confidence in health and safety and facilitate recovery across the airport system.

“San Antonio International Airport is proud to be a partner in the launch of the ACT Program, during possibly the most critical time in the history of commercial aviation,” stated Saenz. “This collaboration will ensure passengers and employees benefit from innovative processes, state-of-the-art technology, and the best practices available to provide the highest level of safety and health protection, while continuing to restore confidence in airports and air travel.”

Participating airports included; Los Angeles World Airports, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and San Antonio International Airport.

For updated information on San Antonio International Airport visit www.FlySanAntonio.com.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.