COVID-19 Safety

 Jacksonville’s Ellis Airport wants to ensure that you have a stress-free flying experience as we take the necessary steps to protect our passengers. We encourage you to bring along hand sanitizer and masks in order to protect yourself as well as others. TSA requires everyone to wear a mask inside the terminal at all times and our airlines, American and Delta, require the use of face masks on flights.

Here’s how we are doing our part at OAJ:

Enhanced Cleaning: OAJ is taking additional steps to keep our airports clean and safe. We will continue to disinfect high-touch areas, such as doors, seating, counters, handrails, etc. Airlines are taking more time between flights to sanitize and clean the aircraft. Both the aircraft and terminal are also equipped with HEPA air filters.  The Albert J. Ellis Airport is accredited by ISSA’s Global Biorisk Advisory Council which ensures the airport’s  team uses the most effective products and techniques to ensure the facilities are as safe and healthy as possible.

If you are skeptical about the air quality on airplanes, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that “The quality of aircraft cabin air is carefully controlled. Ventilation provides a total change of air 20-30 times per hour. The recirculated air is usually passed through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters of the type used in hospitals, which trap dust particles, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.”

Plexiglass Partitions: We have installed plexiglass partitions to protect our employees and travelers.

Floor Markers: Floor markers have been strategically placed throughout the terminals and other gathering areas to remind travelers to remain 6 feet apart.

Face Coverings: Face coverings are now required in public places in the state of North Carolina. This means that when you come to the airport, please wear a face covering. We have a supply of complimentary cloth masks for customers, if needed.

Hand Sanitizers: One liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces is allowed per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Any containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquid permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately which will add time to the screening process. All other liquids must still be 3.4 ounces or less.

What do you need to know about flying to other states?

When traveling to another state, it is important to know that other states and airports may have different guidelines than North Carolina and Albert J Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, NC. Make sure to do your research on the precautions being taken in the state(s) you are traveling to as well as the airports and airlines you will be using.

As TSA rolls out new procedures nationwide, we will keep you updated here. Currently, here are some things you can expect:

●  Hold on to your boarding passes in order to self-scan at the boarding pass reader

●  Pack carry-on food items in clear plastic bags for x-ray screening

●  Take extra care to ensure that you have not packed any prohibited items

●  Wear facial protection

●  Practice social distancing

To learn more about the updated security procedures, click here.