Detroit Metropolitan Airport unveils Safe Travels DTW program

DETROIT (Sept. 4, 2020) – As air travel gradually increases, visitors to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) can expect to see changes designed to protect them from COVID-19. The terminals reflect the Wayne County Airport Authority’s (WCAA) commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment as part of its Safe Travels DTW program.    

“We have always been dedicated to the safety and security of our passengers and employees,” said WCAA CEO Chad Newton. “With COVID-19 still a worldwide concern, we want our customers to have confidence in air travel and the cleanliness of our facilities. For months, our janitorial staff has increased the frequency of cleaning high touch point areas. We installed acrylic barriers, face covering dispensers and signage promoting healthy habits. We continue to encourage everyone in our terminals to protect themselves and others by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.”

Steps WCAA has taken to prioritize health:

• Placed stand-alone hand sanitizing stations in high traffic locations, including gate hold areas.
• Installed acrylic partitions and other protective barriers at ticket counters, information booths and at TSA checkpoints.
• Prepared approximately 1.7 million cloth face coverings for distribution by installing customized dispensers at terminal entrances.
• Increased signage promoting social distancing, hand washing and the use of face coverings throughout DTW.
• Added floor markings to encourage social distancing by standing 6 feet apart from others.
• Increased the frequency of cleaning in the terminals, concentrating on “touch points,” such as door knobs, water fountains, handrails and toilet seats, following a sanitization process similar to what occurs in a hospital.
• Encouraged concessionaire partners to implement a touch-free experience by using QR codes for menus and touchless payment options.

What passengers can do: 

• Wear a face covering. Exceptions: Those who cannot medically tolerate a covering and children under two years of age.
• Practice social distancing by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
• Limit touch points by using online check-in and mobile devices for boarding passes.
• Consider using cell phone lots to reduce traffic at the arrivals curb.

The Airport Authority will continue to take proactive steps to keep customers, stakeholders and employees safe. More information about the steps DTW is taking to prioritize travel safety can be found on our COVID-19 information page at https://www.metroairport.com/about-dtw/covid-19-information.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed more than 36 million passengers in 2019 and is one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs. With service from 13 scheduled passenger airlines, Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 1,100 flights per day to and from more than 140 nonstop destinations on four continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport received the highest score among mega airports in the J.D. Power 2019 North America Airport Satisfaction Study of customers’ satisfaction with the airport they traveled through and scored the highest in the security check and terminal facilities factors. Visit jdpower.com/awards for details. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility.  The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.