Aer Lingus to deploy controlled boarding and contactless passes

Aer Lingus will board passengers in small groups as it steps up existing Covid-19 safeguards for passengers and crew ahead of re-starting flying. Passengers and crew must already wear face masks on the few flights that Aer Lingus has continued to operate, a protection that the airline intends continuing. The carrier said Friday that it will board and disembark passengers in small groups, according to seat numbers. At boarding gates it will ask travellers to scan their own boarding passes and show their ID to Aer Lingus staff, “making this process contactless”. The airline will use hospital-grade disinfectant on all hard surfaces when it is cleaning craft. Passengers will be reminded to wash their hands regularly, maintain social distancing and limit contact with surfaces as they move through airports. The measures are in line with recommendations published last week by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.<br/>