Air India Express, a subsidiary of India's national carrier Air India, said it has become the first airline in the country to use ultraviolet robots to clean and disinfect its aircrafts. The device comes with a UV disinfection lamping system and collapsible arms to reach difficult-to-access areas, the airline said. It was used at Delhi airport on Thursday for its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
In a release, Air India Express said the carrier used an ultraviolet robotic device with a UV disinfection lamping system at Delhi airport on Thursday in order to disinfect its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline said it was planning to use this technology at other airports in the country to disinfect its aircraft.
How the technology works
- The device comes with a UV disinfection lamping system and collapsible arms to reach difficult-to-access areas.
- The device is specially designed to clean and disinfect aircraft seats, under-seat areas, inside overhead baggage compartment, aisle ceiling, window panels, cockpit instrumentation area, overhead switch panel and interiors.
- Fitted with collapsible arms, the UV-C light reaches the areas which are difficult to access while performing 'In-Cabin' disinfection manually.
- UV-C disinfection system is identified worldwide as one of the most effective forms of disinfection.
- The cleaning and disinfecting technology has been approved by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL).
- The laboratory at NABL has tested this device for its efficiency in disinfecting surfaces from germs, bacteria and viruses.
- This technology may help restore passenger confidence in safe flying at a time when the aviation sector is struggling to increase air traffic.
- Plans to extend this technology for its aircraft operating from other airports in its network in the country.
- The technology was launched in India in collaboration with ground handling agency AISATS.
It may be noted that India had banned domestic as well as international flights in March 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in the country. After the coronavirus situation came under control in the country, the government has allowed domestic air travel, in a phased manner. However, it has allowed airlines to operate with 100% capacity.
International air travel is still banned though some cargo and special aircraft under air bubble agreements are allowed.
