WATCH: The airport of the future? Disinfection booths and autonomous cleaning robots

Disinfection booths, antimicrobial coating and autonomous cleaning robots are just some of the latest disinfection technologies implemented at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). 

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) will use the latest disinfection technologies to curb the spread of Covid-19.HKIA revealed in a statement that it is the world’s first airport where “CLeanTech”, a full-body disinfection channel facility, is trialed in live operation.

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

People who arrive at the airport will undergo temperature checks before heading to a booth for 40-second disinfection and sanitising procedures. 

The interior surface of the booth has an antimicrobial coating believed to “remotely kill virus and bacteria on human bodies and clothing by using the technologies of photocatalyst and nanoneedles”. 

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Protecting the health of passengers and airport staff is our top priority. 💪Recently, we’ve trialled the “CLeanTech”, a full-body smart disinfection channel facility, in live operation at HKIA. This facility is currently used by staff who take part in public health and quarantine duties in relation to arriving passengers. The user will first undergo a body temperature test🌡️, followed by a 40-second disinfection and sterilisation process in the enclosed channel.⠀ ⠀ Meanwhile, a pilot test of antimicrobial coating application is conducted at high-touch surfaces of passenger facilities. The invisible coating will destroy germs, bacteria and viruses. Check out these measures from our video now! 👀 ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #hkg #aviation #hongkongairport #hkia #vhhh #hkairportphotos #hkiaphotos #airport #avgeek #hongkong #hkig #stunningHKIA #homekong #CLeanTech #antimicrobialcoating #sterilisation #disinfection #fightcovid19 #fightcovid19together #covid19

A post shared by HK International Airport(@hongkongairport) on Apr 29, 2020 at 9:01pm PDT

 A sanitising spray will be applied for instant disinfection. The booth, which is kept under negative pressure to prevent cross-contamination between the outside and inside the environment, is currently being utilised by staff who take part in public health and quarantine duties at the airport.

The statement by the airport also revealed that the AA is conducting a pilot test of applying antimicrobial coating at all passenger facilities, including high-touch surfaces in the terminal like handles and seats of Automated People Movers and passenger buses, smart check-in kiosks and check-in counters, toilets, seating area in the terminal, baggage trolleys, and elevator buttons. 

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

Once the trial is complete in May, it may become a long term solution for the airport. 

There will also be the deployment of autonomous cleaning robots to ensure thorough disinfection of public areas and passenger facilities in HKIA. Intelligent Sterilization Robot, equipped with ultraviolet light steriliser and air steriliser, is deployed round-the-clock in public toilets and key operating areas in the terminal building. The robot can move around autonomously and sterilize up to 99.99 percent of bacteria in its vicinity, including both the air and object surfaces, in just 10 minutes.

Picture: Hong Kong International Airport.

Steven Yiu, Deputy Director, Service Delivery of the AA, said the safety and wellbeing of airport staff and passengers are always their priority. 

“Although air traffic has been impacted by the pandemic, the AA spares no effort in ensuring that the airport is a safe environment for all users. We will continue to look into new measures to enhance our cleaning and disinfection work,” he said.