Airbus' Cabin Air Explanations during the Corona Pandemic – Presented, Analyzed, and Criticized

Abstract

The technical expertise of the aircraft manufacturer on cabin air in passenger aircraft during the Corona pandemic is paramount. Not much of it is out in the public domain. The little information found, is presented here, analyzed, and criticized. Airbus is using the same arguments in support of flying during times of COVID-19 as other stakeholders in the aviation industry. The three facts: high air change rate, use of HEPA filters, and a ventilation concept for each cross section along the length of the fuselage justifies for Airbus to wave otherwise accepted commandments about social distancing. Every possible argument is used to play down the health risk from SARS-CoV-2 for the sake of inviting passengers back into the aircraft. The wealth of arguments can be found in an interview with Airbus chief engineer Jean-Brice Dumont. This memo presents some of the arguments from the video in written form.