Singapore Airlines (SIA), SilkAir and Scoot have rolled out enhanced safety measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic to keep passengers and crew safe, the airlines announced on June 7, 2020.

This comes as travel is set to pick up again with transit operations resuming at Changi Airport and more flights on schedule in June 2020.

SIA measures

From June 8, passengers on all SIA Group flights will be given a kit with a surgical mask, anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser.

An enhanced cleaning process has been implemented for aircraft and lounges, SIA also said.

SIA was also looking to trial an ultra-violet light cleaning procedure on the ground for its lavatories before every flight.

Passengers have been required to wear face masks on board since May 10.

Other measures such as observing safe distancing when embarking and disembarking, as well as when queuing for the lavatory are now required.

Scoot measures

Scoot said some of its products and services will be suspended to minimise contact between crew and customers and to facilitate effective contact tracing.

These include the suspension of priority boarding, extra cabin bag allowance, inflight seat upgrades, inflight duty-free shopping and the purchase of meals and beverages.

Online seat selection will also be suspended.

Customers will be assigned seats when they check in, Scoot said, and customers should not change seats in-flight.

"Where possible, Scoot will endeavour to seat customers travelling with family, or customers in the same booking, together," said the airline.

Scoot has also introduced restrictions on cabin baggage.

With effect from June 1, customers are only allowed one carry-on bag of up to 3kg that must fit under the seat in front of them.

Remaining cabin baggage of up to 7kg will be checked in at no cost.

Previously, Scoot had allowed cabin baggage of up to 10kg in Economy Class.

Customers will also be required to complete a health declaration form prior to check-in.

Forms may be completed at Scoot check-in kiosks or via an online form accessible through an SMS notification 24 hours prior to flight departure.

Other measures

Other measures are being looked at to ensure minimal contact between people.

SIA is looking at an in-flight e-menu and digital food ordering services in lounges, which should be introduced in the coming months.

A "Print-n-Go" solution to let customers print boarding passes and baggage tags at airport self-service kiosks in a contactless way is being looked into.

The printing of boarding passes can be done via the SingaporeAir Mobile App or a QR code.

Top photo via Unsplash