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Workshop Agenda

JUNE 28, 2021

Session 1
Noon to 2 pm Eastern
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speeches

Opening Remarks: John-Paul Clarke, Workshop Chair, University of Texas, Austin (1:00 pm)

Keynotes: Sequence of Events and Lessons Learned from the COVID Pandemic: Past, Present, and Future

• Medical and Public Health Perspective (12:10 pm Eastern: 35-minute presentation; 20-minute discussion) Carlos del Rio, Emory University School of Medicine
• Aviation Industry Perspective (1:05 pm Eastern: 35-minute presentation; 20-minute discussion) Kevin Michaels, AeroDynamic Advisory

2:00 pm Break

Session 2
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern
Panel on Policy and Procedures (Government, Airlines, Airports, Etc.)

Summary Question:

What are the top three policy changes that should be implemented to expedite a return to safe yet unrestricted travel, and minimize the impact of future pandemics? Potential policy changes might include the following:

• Who do you allow on airplanes? Who decides and on what basis? What technology is needed to help make these decisions?

• What changes in aircraft certification are needed?
• What changes in seating configuration are appropriate?
• Should health passports be required? Recommended?
• How can international harmonization be achieved for policies related to the above?
• What contact tracing policies should be implemented?
• How can privacy concerns be addressed?
• What procedures are needed for passenger embarkation and terminal processing?
• Do we need new policies for uncooperative passengers?

Moderator: Vicki Hertzberg, Emory University
Panelists (opening remarks up to 15 minutes by each panelist, followed by Q&A):

• Marty Cetron, CDC, Director, Division of Global Quarantine and Migration
• Arjun Garg, Hogan Lovells, Partner
• Lauren Beyer, Airlines for America (A4A), Vice President, Security and Facilitation
• Steve Mayers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Airport Director, Customer Experience

JUNE 29, 2021

Session 3
Noon to 2 pm Eastern
Panel on Aircraft Design and Flight Operations, Personnel, and Performance

Summary Question:

What are the top three ways in which aircraft design and flight operations, personnel, and performance should change in response to passenger perceptions of the risks associated with domestic and international air travel for the current and future pandemics? Potential issues might include the following:

• How could the design of future aircraft reduce the risk of disease transmission? What new requirements might have to be met for aircraft design?
• Are there differences in the problems that are faced and their solutions for regional carriers, long-haul domestic aircraft, and international aircraft? What is the right size for future aircraft given pandemic concerns?
• What changes should be made in interactions among and between passengers and air crew? What new training requirements are appropriate?

Moderator: Valerie Manning, Airbus
Panelists (opening remarks up to 15 minutes by each panelist, followed by Q&A):

• Howie Weiss, Pennsylvania State University, Professor of Biology
• Wolfgang Wohlers, Airbus, VP Engineering and Maintenance
• Bob Fox, United Airlines and Air Line Pilots Association, First Vice President

2:00 pm Break

Session 4
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern
Panel on Operations and Performance:
Airports, Ground Transportation, and Air Traffic Management

Summary Question:

What are the top three ways in which the operations, personnel, and performance of airports, ground transportation systems, and air traffic management should change in response to passenger needs, airline operations, and policy changes during the current and future pandemics? Potential issues might include the following:

• How could the design of airports and ground transportation systems be modified to reduce the risk of disease transmission? What new requirements might have to be met for airport and ground transportation system design?
• How can airport and ground transportation processes be made more efficient and flexible to allow for quick pivots in response to future pandemics?
• What changes should be made in interactions among and between passengers and airport and ground transportation personnel? What new training requirements are appropriate?
• How do we ensure continuity of air traffic management services during pandemics?

Moderator: Andrew Lacher, Noblis
Panelists (opening remarks up to 15 minutes by each panelist, followed by Q&A):

• Jeffrey Brown, Port of Seattle, Aviation Chief Operating Officer
• Ashok Srinivasan, University of West Florida, Professor of Computer Science
• Vygaudas Usackas, Avia Solutions Group, Member of the Board of Directors

JUNE 30, 2021

Session 5
Noon to 2 pm Eastern
Panel on Aviation Economics

Summary Question:

How has the economics of the aviation industry been affected by the current pandemic and what should be done to mitigate these impacts and ensure the long-term economic viability? Potential issues might include the following:

• How has the pandemic impacted the economics of the aviation industry:
  • original equipment manufacturers,
  • supply chains,
  • airlines,
  • airports,
  • air traffic control, and
  • relevant aviation support facilities during and after the pandemic.
• How lasting will these effects be?
• Has the current pandemic catalyzed fundamental changes to the aviation industry, or highlighted changes that are needed to better respond to future pandemics?

Moderator: Parimal “PK” Kopardekar, NASA Ames Research Center
Panelists (opening remarks up to 15 minutes by each panelist, followed by Q&A):

• Brian Pearce, IATA, Chief Economist
• Ronald Epstein, Bank of America Global Research, Senior Equity Analyst
• Kate Harback, Institute of Health Economics, Associate Director of Economics
• Joel Otto, Raytheon Technologies

2:00 pm Break

Session 6
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern
Panel on Critically Needed Capabilities, Research, and Next Steps

Summary Question:

What capabilities and research are most critically needed to help the aviation industry withstand the effects of the current and future pandemics?

Moderator: Ilan Kroo, Stanford University
Panelists: Moderators from Sessions 2 to 5

• Vicki Hertzberg, Session 2
• Valerie Manning, Session 3
• Andrew Lacher, Session 4
• Parimal Kopardekar, Session 5

Workshop Closing Remarks: John-Paul Clarke, Workshop Chair, University of Texas, Austin