Gatwick Airpot has become the first airport in the UK to introduce an ultraviolet disinfecting security tray treatment to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Following a one-month trial in July 2020, laboratory tests demonstrated a 99.9% microbe disinfection rate.
Now the UV system will be rolled out on eight lanes in Gatwick’s North Terminal – six for passengers and two for staff – by the end of this month.
The technology sees each tray pass through a covered ‘UV-tunnel’ fixed underneath the hand luggage screening system, as trays exit the scanners, so that every tray is treated immediately before each passenger uses it.
The UV-C light is completely contained within a covered unit designed to safety standards, ensuring no risk of exposure to either passengers or staff.
Gatwick Chief Operating Officer Adrian Witherow said: “This new system has proven itself to be extremely reliable and provides a really high degree of reassurance as every single passenger and staff member using the system will have a tray that has only just been disinfected.
“As an airport, we will continue to explore innovative health solutions like this that reduce the spread of coronaviruses and other infections.
“The system goes above and beyond the guidelines and we will continue to do everything we can to help reassure our passengers that flying is still a great travelling experience and that the health measures we have in place are effective and easy to follow.”
