Asheville airport updates community on operations

Message from Lew Bleiweis, executive director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority:

We’re all in this together — including the team of dedicated professionals at Asheville Regional Airport. I’d like to take a moment to help you understand what’s happening at AVL.

Airports are considered part of the nation’s critical infrastructure – important to the movement of not only people in general, but possibly swift and efficient movement of needed goods and services. We must remain open.

Therefore, the dedicated team at AVL is working diligently to keep the airport safe and operational during this uncertain time.

It is important to note that some of you are still flying commercially. There are people who need air travel for a number of reasons, and our airline partners are focused on safely transporting passengers and making changes to itineraries, if needed. If you have upcoming trips planned, be sure to visit your airline’s website for up-to-date information about managing your trip. Here is a link to the airlines’ contact information: CLICK HERE.

Our hope is universal: that our collective response to this pandemic will have swift and positive results, and we can all return to a more normal life very soon. As we’ve all experienced – a few weeks can change everything. Let’s hope for a new story a few weeks from today. Stay safe, and again, please know that your safety when traveling to and from AVL is – and will always be – our top priority.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING NOW

The airport’s Chief of Public Safety is a member of local epidemiology teams through public health and human services organizations.  Working together with epidemiology experts, public safety organizations and others who are closely monitoring the global, regional and local issues and effects of COVID-19, AVL is committed to following best practices to protect the travelers of WNC.

At this time, the airport is:

• Educating all employees about the virus, any updates from key agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and ways to interact in public to avoid the spread of illness.  We are also emphasizing that all employees who are sick (or caring for someone who is sick) should stay home and contact their physician or the health department for instructions about how to seek care.  We have implemented alternate work schedules for those who can work remotely or differently in order to socially distance our team, where this makes sense.
• Implementing enhanced cleaning procedures, including more frequent disinfecting of hard surfaces in our most public areas.
• Frequently replenishing antibacterial soap supplies in all washrooms so appropriate hand washing is possible for all employees and customers.
• Ensuring that we have ample supplies of appropriate cleaning supplies in stock.
• Ensuring that our public safety officers are ready to aid if a suspected case is identified.

We have also added educational posters throughout the organization, emphasizing the importance of hand washing, and instructions about how to correctly wash hands to effectively kill germs.

The restaurant, in response to the N.C. governor’s order for dine-in facilities to close, is open for “take-out” orders only.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING, YOU SHOULD ALSO DO YOUR PART!  

Here’s how you can help.
Follow the CDC guidelines for protecting yourself, which include:

• When you wash your hands, use soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid contact with people who are ill
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, do not travel. Stay home and consult your health care provider.
Remember — your precautions will not only protect you, but also those around you.

Stay informed when making travel plans

If you are traveling, and are concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on your trip, please consult the CDC for a current list of travel advisories and useful information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Please note that the U.S. Department of State has implemented some international travel bans.  Learn more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

For more information on the COVID-19 virus, learn more here:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Local information:  Buncombe Ready: COVID-19

Airlines are doing their part, too.

Many airlines are working with travelers who have already booked travel, or are planning travel in the coming weeks, with concerns about COVID-19. This includes waiving fees for changes to bookings, altering flight schedules and working with customers to adjust travel plans. Contact your airline for more information.