COVID-19 updates
LAST UPDATE: 3 JUNE 2020
CURRENT HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR PASSENGERS:
Despite the current challenging context and the increasing amount of operational limitations, our company is working around the clock to keep operating at maximum capacity and to offer its services.
To this end, and with respect to all the current National, International and Aviation Directives or Recommendations, our company has implemented specific Health Protection and Safety Measures on all its flights (applicable to ASL, JetNetherlands and Air Charters Europe/ACE flights):
-
All our aircraft (cabins and cockpits) are systematically deep-cleaned and entirely disinfected after each flight, either by our crew members or by our Ground Operations Personnel, using certified products (EASA)
-
All our crew members (flight and cabin) have to follow very strict protocols and procedures with regards to hygiene. Upon experiencing any sign of illness, they are removed from duty and asked to stay home
-
All our company aircraft are equipped with disinfecting products, protective cleaning material as well as with Universal Precaution Kits (UPK)
-
All passengers are required to fill in a Locater Passenger Form including a current health status and any travel history to/from risky or affected areas/countries. These are communicated to Airport Authorities and National Health Agencies for tracking purposes and any passenger with any symptom or diagnose of COVID-19 shall not be allowed to board our aircraft.
-
Passengers boarding our aircraft may be required to get a temperature control by our Crew Members. All aircraft are equipped with optical frontal thermometers
-
Crew Members are required to limit direct physical contact with other persons (either with colleagues/fellow crew members or with airport personnel and passengers)
-
Limited in-flight service is offered in order to limit contact between crew members and passengers
-
Our Flight Operations & Flight Dispatch Departments are working 24/7 to monitor the situation and to keep up with new operational limitations such as flight bans, airport closures, country closures, quarantaine requirements, etc.
Passengers are required to strictly adhere to the following Protocols and measures published by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency:
AT ALL TIMES
- Wear medical face masks, ensure their correct use and disposal, and replace every 4 hours (unless instructions say otherwise)
- Observe physical distancing (1.5 metres)
- Wash hands regularly for at least 20 secs with soap and water or, where not available, use alcohol based hand sanitising solutions
- Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or flexed elbow when sneezing or coughing
- Limit direct contact with surfaces and people
- Be kind to each other – it’s the only way we will get through this
BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE AIRPORT
- Complete the Notification of Health status from the company
- Don’t travel to the airport if you have been in any of the situation specified in the Notification of Health status or if you experience any of the COVID-19 Symptoms
- Be aware that only travellers should enter the airport terminal / FBO at arrival and departure. (The only other people who should enter the terminal are people accompanying or picking up a passenger requiring assistance – Persons with Reduced Mobility or unaccompanied minors)
- Read the health safety promotion material from your airline
- Check you have sufficient medical face masks and sanitising gel for your journey
- Ensure you leave enough time for your journey including checks at the airport
AT THE AIRPORT
- Ask a member of staff in case you have any questions or feel uneasy (they are there to help you in this new situation)
- Be prepared for thermal screening at the airport
- Observe physical barriers or signs indicating distancing requirements
- Check-in your bag whenever possible
- Minimise your use of airport facilities
- Wear a face mask, and expect to be denied boarding if you do not wear one
ON THE AIRCRAFT
- Ask the crew if you have any questions or feel uneasy (they are there to help you in this new situation) and be nice to them.
- Pay attention to any announcement or presentation given by the crew so you know what is happening on your flight.
- Reduce the use of individual air supply nozzles as far as possible
In addition to these measures, all passengers are required to carefully respect the preventive and protective measures published by the World Health Organisation:
-
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands
-
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease
-
Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COIVD-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre (3 feet)
-
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you
-
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19
-
Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses
-
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections
-
Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves
For all flight inquiries, contact our Sales Team: sales@aslgroup.eu
For all Safety measures inquiries, contact our Safety Team: safety@aslgroup.eu
BENEFITS OF BUSINESS AVIATION DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
If something positive can be taken out of the COVID-19 Pandemic with regards to business aviation, it would be the fact that it, once again, highlighted all the benefits that it represents to the global economy but also to the social and human aspect.
These benefits, which allowed business aviation to be at the forefront of innovation during the last decade are once again proving to be of utmost importance today:
- Safety. Business aviation has always considered safety as a permanent top concern and as a paramount priority. Business aviation operators such as ASL who fly under an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) delivered by their National Aviation Authorities have a Safety Management System (SMS) in place in order to manage and control risks in their operations. SMS are proactive systems which are continuously being adapted to the company's activities. Due to the nature of business aviation activities and the reactivity that it requires on a daily basis, ASL was able to very rapidly implement all the proactive safety and health-related measures/directives in order to protect its customers and its staff from the outbreak.
- Privacy. This is, of course, what business aviation is all about. And also one of the reasons some call it 'private aviation' as well. Business aviation is all about privacy and confidentiality. Flying on your own aircraft. Using private business aviation terminals (FBO), aside from main crowded terminals. Using busines & general aviation-dedicated airports, where airlines do not operate.
- Connectivity. Business aviation being an on-demand service, we give our customers access to a much wider network of destination than traditional airlines do, thereby avoiding long and complex transfers. We are able to take our customers much closer to their final destinations. Thanks to the unique performances of modern business jets, we can operate from much shorter runways and thereby use most regional and secondary airports, whilst also allowing customers to use the largest hubs.
- Efficiency & Producivity. Modern business jets (including turbopropellers) offer an incredible level of efficiency and performance on all operational aspects (fuel consumption, runway performance, speed, service ceiling, cabin altitude, etc.). But most importantly, we allow our customer to be more efficient themselves. Business jets are a unique productivity tools. They allow customers to work In challenging times, effiency does sometimes make a huge difference.
- Security. Being physically separated from commercial aviation/airlines on most airports, whilst still complying with all the safety and security regulations, business aviation offers its customers an increased level of security during their entire trip.
- Reactivity. Being an on-demand service, reactivity is key in business aviation. Urgent travel needs, last minute changes and urgent situations are some of the reasons of our existence. Our standard reaction time for a flight ranges between 1 and 3 hours (depending on the destination/complexity of the mission) and we are continuously able to adapt the mission in accordance with our customers needs and requests. This is a vital asset in today's environment where one needs to react quickly to changing situation.
COVID-19 IMPACT ON FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND COMPANY ACTIVITIES
COMPANY UPDATE 21/05/2020
COMPANY UPDATE 05/05/2020
As most European aircraft operators, we are closely and continuously monitoring the situation with regards to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. We also hear and understand the general concerns of our clients, of our partners, of our passengers and of our personnel and we are taking the necessary measures to make sure that exposure to the virus is limited to its maximum and that mitigating measures are readily available. At this stage, our company continues to operate normally, but with increased health & sanitary standards. Our company adheres to the latest safety recommendations and directives emanating from EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency and our Teams are continuously following the latest information coming from the most trustworthy and reliable sources, such as the World Health Organisation, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Commission Directorate General Sante or from EBAA.
As we continue to monitor the situation, we kindly invite our clients, our partners, our passengers and our personnel not to panic, to filter information as it is sprayed by mass media, and to follow some basic (but very important) health and sanitary rules (see WHO poster).
COMPANY UPDATE 01/05/2020
Even though the Covid-19 is still there and still impacting the world at various levels, we hold ourselves fully ready for the better days. And they are coming!
As boundaries will start to open-up again and travel restrictions to ease-up, we will be fully operational to take our valued customers on their next journey to their preferred destinations, whether for business or leisure.
Business Aviation offers one of the most efficient and safest way to travel, with the use of private aircraft, private airport business aviation terminals, smaller business aviation dedicated airports and the most stringent safety & health standards.
And as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to strike, we remain fully committed to support the medical world as well as to provide on-demand repatriation flights.
For more information about our current operations or for upcoming travel needs: sales@aslgroup.eu
Flexibility, Efficiency, Safety and Trust. These values have built our company and made us who we are today.
And once again, they will take us back high in the sky! Stay tuned...
We will come back soon with positive news soon.
COMPANY UPDATE 01/04/2020
Our company continues to operate at maximum capacity, with respect to the operational limitations related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At this time, we are still able to offer essential flights (repatriation flights, government flights, diplomatic flights, medical flights and urgent low-volume cargo flights, among others.)
All our flights are carried out in accordance with national and international health and safety measures.
The list of all health and safety measures currently applied by the company are listed below.
In order to futher support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also offering Empty Leg Flights free of charge for the transportation of medical staff, medical material, diplomats and government officials directly involved in their duties.
For all flight inquiries, contact our Sales Team: sales@aslgroup.eu
COMPANY UPDATE 20/03/2020
To date, we are still operating repatriation flights for nationals who may be stranded abroad, as well as medical flights and other essential flights. Some flights/destinations are subject to temporary bans or restrictions.
If you are abroad and want to return home and have no or limited airline connection, we can help you!
We operate according to strict safety and health measures, following national and aviation requirements or recommendations.
All our aircraft are entirely and systematically disinfected after each flights and our crew members have very strict health and hygiene protocols to follow, in order to ensure a maximum level of safety.
For all flight inquiries, contact our Sales Team: sales@aslgroup.eu
COMPANY UPDATE 18/03/2020
As we continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and to implement/follow all the safety measures being enforced by National and by Aviation Authorities, we would like to pay tribute to all our Flight and Cabin Crew Members; to our Flight and Ground Operations Staff and to all our Personnel for their unconditional commitment and devotion in keeping our operations running safely, despite the odds, and in full compliance with the very high number of health and safety measures in place.
They have been working around the clock to keep our aircraft flying; to disinfect all cabins and cockpits between each flights and to keep serving our customers.
So, to all our amazing people: THANK YOU!
We will continue to operate as long and as much as we possibly can, including for life-saving medical/transplantation flights, because this is one of the core reasons of the existence of Business Aviation.
If you have any questions/inquiries about flights, contact our Sales Team: sales@aslgroup.eu
If you have any questions/inquiries about our Health & Safety Measures, contact our Safety Team: safety@aslgroup.eu
COMPANY UPDATE 15/03/2020
Letter from ASL Group CEO
Dear Valued Customer,
You are most probably fully aware of the current situation regarding the pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) which is now a global issue.
Unfortunately, the virus continues to spread at a remarkable speed, pushing national authorities and governments to take unprecedented and drastic measures to refrain the outbreak. We are, of course, closely monitoring the evolution of this situation, which, as you can imagine, is impacting our operations.
As most air operators, our most important concern is the safety of our passengers and clients, as well as of our crew and staff members. Therefore, I believe it is important to give you a little explanation regarding the various measures which have been taken within our company to keep our passengers, our crews and our aircraft flying with the highest level of safety and hygiene.
Our Crew Members, both Cockpit and Cabin, have very strict protocols to follow in terms of health and hygiene. Although we cannot control their health conditions prior to each flight, only Crew Members who feel perfectly fit are assigned to a flight. We have no doubt about their level of professionalism to carry out these self-assessments. Any crew member feeling unfit or even slightly ill is removed from the planning and told to stay at home.
All our aircraft cabins are being systematically disinfected after each flight, whether the flight ends at a company home base or outstation. The disinfection is carried out either by our Ground Operations Personnel or by our Crew Members. We have also equipped all our aircraft with hand sanitizing gel, disinfectant products and with Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) at it was recommended by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) at the beginning of the outbreak.
Passengers who are flying on our aircraft are also required to follow the basic international hygiene rules and to limit close contact with others, out of respect and precaution for the people eventually travelling with them as well as for our Crew Members. Those passengers who have been travelling to affected or risky areas are required to fill in a Passenger Locator Form and to report any symptom – even the slightest which may be related to COVID-19 – to our Crew Members so that they can apply the necessary protocols immediately. From an office perspective, most of our staff members are now required to work from home. All non-critical meetings and training courses have been suspended as well, in agreement with the competent authorities.
The outbreak is causing non-negligible operational disruptions on several countries and airports. Our flight Operations and Dispatch Departments are working day and night to monitor the situation and to limit the inconvenience as much as possible. The upcoming weeks will be challenging for our company, but today more than ever, our Team remains entirely committed to serving you and your business the best way possible.
Thank you for your understanding, for your confidence and for your cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
Philippe Boson
CEO
COMPANY UPDATE 10/03/2020
As the outbreak continues all accross the globe, we strongly recommend all our clients and passengers to:
1) Contact our Sales Team (+32 11 29 50 16) in order to know whether particular restrictions, bans or procedures are in force for their (intended) flight
2) Contact your National Foreign Affairs for the latest travel advice and for possible restrictions or bans on your destination country.
3) If you have travelled to a contaminated area, or if you have been in direct contact with someone who was contaminated by the COVID-19 Virus during the last 14 days, please inform our Sales Department (if prior to a planned flight) or alternatively our Crew immediately as special procedures may be enforced.
4) Please duly respect the various hygiene measures promulgated by local and aviation authorities.
Note that since 10/03/2020, important travel restrictions apply to Italy. Contact us for more details.
SOURCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
EASA (European commission Aviation Safety Agency)
EBAA (European Business Aviation Association)
WHO (World Health Organisation)
