From eraa.org
On 1 February 2016 the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee declared that the Zika outbreak detected in South America constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the 19 February, the European Parliament passed a Motion for Resolution which, following the WHO-recommendations on prevention in European countries, calls on the Commission and Member States to significantly enhance monitoring of invasive mosquito species and increase controlling mosquitoes by eliminating breeding sites (like pools) and planning for insecticide spraying in case of outbreaks. As well as recommending improved disinfection rates of cargo, cargo carriers and cabin and passenger compartments of planes from infected countries.
The Italian Government has taken this a step further and already implemented, through its NAA, ENAC a requirement for all aircraft operating into Italian airports and regardless of point of origin, to have been “disinsected” in accordance with the World Health Organisation Guidance (see link below), demonstrated by the carriage of a valid “Certificate of Residual Disinsection” which must be on-board all aircraft at all times.
ERA, in consultation with other airline European Airline Associations is of the opinion that this requirement by the Italian authorities is disproportionate and impractical and we have presented a joint letter (available via the downloads button) to the Italian authorities and airport operators requesting reconsideration.
In essence, the letter explains that although we are well aware of the virulence of the virus, and that it has legitimately been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) lately, we understand the risks of propagation, but imposing impractical and eventually unrealistic measures onto airspace operators is not operationally feasible. We believe that the request of the Italian authorities of imposing residual “disinsection” for all flights is totally out of proportion with the disease and is not aligned with what all WHO Member States, including other EU Member States have decided to implement.
The feedback we are receiving currently from our members who operate in Italy is that for aircraft operators, these measures are causing insurmountable operational difficulties and can lead to severe disruptions of their operations. In addition, the required “residual disinsection” to be performed by certified/specialised companies may not be available at all airports in Italy. This implies that aircraft could be grounded for hours, or even has to be re-positioned to airports where this “disinsection” process is available.
We therefore have urged the Italian authorities to consider more commensurate measures regarding “disinsection” of aircraft in line with the actual WHO recommendations as illustrated by the measures introduced by other EU Member States. We would also encourage you to coordinate closely with ENAC to ensure that appropriate and clear communication is disseminated to all the impacted airlines operating in Italy, so as to avoid confusion on the actual requirements. We have also requested a meeting with the authorities to further discuss the above concerns and the Directorate will keep you informed of developments.
Important bit
requirement for all aircraft operating into Italian airports and regardless of point of origin, to have been “disinsected” in accordance with the World Health Organisation Guidance (see link below), demonstrated by the carriage of a valid “Certificate of Residual Disinsection” which must be on-board all aircraft at all times.
Procedure needs to be completed by a certified / specialized company.
WHO information here:
http://www.who.int/ihr/ports_airports/zika-aircraft-disinsection/en/
CP