Heathrow set to start coronavirus detection trials

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Heathrow Airport is all set to start the trial of technologies that can form the basis of a common international standard for health screening at all global airports. The plan has been officially confirmed to the House of Commons transport committee by John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive, Heathrow Airport.


The government has already been urged by the airport authorities to take the lead in developing an international standard for travel. The request was made with the fear that a slow approach might prove to be damaging to the aviation sector. Kaye mentioned that the planned package of measures will include tried and tested processes. It will also consist of new technology and innovations that are unknown to the airport environment.


The concepts under the Heathrow trials are presently up for a review. It includes a method of UV sanitation that can be used to sanitise security trays rapidly and efficiently as well as facial recognition thermal screening technology to track accurate body temperature. It also consists of a contact-free security screening equipment to reduce person-to-person contact.

All measures will be against Heathrow’s three tests before they are executed. It will be examined to ensure that the measures are medically grounded and are practical for airports to deliver. The measures will also aim to build consumer confidence once they resume travel activities.


The trails are set to begin in the next two weeks in Terminal 2 of the Heathrow Airport. An all new temperature screening technology equipped with camera detection systems will be the first of these trials. The equipment will be capable of monitoring the temperatures of people moving through the airport. The passenger-facing trials will first be conducted in the airport’s immigration halls. The equipment will be rolled out to departures, connections and colleague search areas upon successful trial results.


Holland-Kaye said in a recent statement that aviation is the cornerstone of the U.K. economy, and the government needs to help restart aviation to restart the economy. He shared that it is important to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission across borders and the trials at Heathrow has the probability of being a part of the solution.

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