Airport Recovery Briefing: FlyHealthy@SEA
Port of Seattle Commission Meeting
July 28, 2020
Lance Lyttle, Aviation Division Managing Director
Julie Collins, Aviation Customer Experience Director

FlyHealthy@SEA: Goals
Maintain a safe, healthy airport environment

Restore confidence in air travel

Renew enthusiasm for travel

Return passenger volumes and economic vitality

2

FlyHealthy@SEA: A multi-layered approach
Initial Actions:
Enhanced cleaning
Physical Distancing
- Common areas, gate hold rooms
Communication
Partner collaboration

3

Mask Up SEA
Enhanced Focus Area

Surveys confirm that travelers feel safer when airport
employees and passengers wear masks
Campaign launched on July 1st to increase visibility
and 1:1 customer engagement; Over 2100 coverings
distributed as of July 19th.
Compliance has increased  around 95%
Positive emphasis  social media highlights


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FlyHealthy@SEA: Health Screenings
May 12th Meeting Context:
Passenger volume: 95% drop (April 2020 compared to April 2019)
Health Information: elevated temperatures (strongest indicator for COVID-19)
Federal response: Potential Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
temperature check pilot; strong expectation for long-term responsibility
May 12th Commission Motion:
"Develop a plan to facilitate temperature screenings for passengers
departing through TSA checkpoints and those who have been cleared
by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after international arrival."
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FlyHealthy@SEA: Health Screenings
Complex Issues:
Securing Health Partners
King County Department of Health
State of Washington Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Airlines
Private Health Contractor
FAA Policy
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Temperature Screening: Equipment Tests
Tested equipment in Federal
Inspection Station (FIS) area (6/17-
6/23)
Voluntary; 1400 passengers; no
personal data stored
Findings:
- False readings (hot items)
- Complications with glasses/hats
- No high temps (100F+)
- Passengers are receptive
- Hard to avoid testing children
- Staffing insights

7

Temperature Screening: "Proof of Concept"
July 14  31, adjacent to Checkpoint 5 in collaboration with Alaska Airlines
Preliminary Findings:
Issues with hats/glasses
Passenger flows
High staff demand
Screening approx. 700
people/day; no elevated
temperatures (as of 7/20)
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Temperature Screening Considerations:
Health Partnerships Status
Airlines
Health Departments; CDC
Costs  General Tax Levy Use
Equipment
Private Health Contractor (Request For Proposal)
Public Feedback
Legal Uncertainties
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Alternatives:
Alternative A: Conduct "random" temperature screenings
Pro: deterrent, increase testing knowledge
Con: tax levy cost impacts, airline participation uncertainty, lack of follow-up
authority
Alternative B: Move forward expeditiously with mandatory
health screening temperature check program
Pro: large hub U.S. airport leadership - share lessons, deterrent
Con: higher tax levy cost impacts, airline participation uncertainty, lack of health
partners, lack of follow-up authority, potential for federal unfunded mandate

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Alternatives and Next Steps:
Alternative C: Implement second phase "Proof of Concept";
accelerate screening plans for international arrival passengers
Pro: provides additional insights (logistics, staffing, federal landscape)
Con: tax levy cost impacts, lack of health partners, cost/benefit (few people with
elevated temperatures)
This is the recommended alternative
Potential Next Steps:
Move to COVID-19 rapid test preparation?
Pursue an alternative
Action item for August 11th meeting (delegated authority to secure staffing with a
private health contractor)
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FlyHealthy@SEA Update

Questions?

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