ARS | Publication request: Beneficial outcomes of the air curtain project in Ghana, August 14-27, 2011

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 20, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A number of questions existed about the feasibility of using the air curtain system in West Africa and after the project was completed many of the questions had been answered. Air curtains can be securely mounted on the truck mounted stairs used for passenger planning and deplaning. The Accra Airport Operations Company whose personnel installed the air curtains on the truck-mounted stairs was eager to help with the project and handled our work requests despite having regularly assigned duties. This company services many airports in western Africa. Passengers, cleaners, security personnel, pilots and flight attendants were very enthusiastic about the project and were not bothered by the operation of the air curtains. Catering personnel were not at all hampered or concerned about having to use the net doors placed over the open doorways on the right side of the aircraft. WHO Officials who observed the systems used for prevention of insect passage through the open aircraft doors, i.e. air curtains and net doors, were pleased with what they saw and agreed that with a few more improvements the system would be ready for commercial validation and use. On-site simulation of the system allowed us to see needed changes that would have been impossible to see otherwise. For example, the mounting system for the net doors needs further simplification, and work has begun on this improvement. The components of the air curtain disinsection system can easily be used by all of the various airport ground crews without greatly changing their current work procedures.