Avelo Airlines has taken a novel approach to disinfecting its aircraft amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Using a robot known as the Aero HygenX RAY, the ultra-low-cost carrier is making use of ultraviolet light to clean aircraft interiors and employee workspaces on a daily basis. Let's see what this entails.

An innovative partnership

Avelo Airlines has made waves today by announcing a partnership with Aero HygenX. Highly regarded by the ULCC, the company is considered to be "the pioneer in autonomous UVC disinfection technology for the transportation industry." Avelo has recently begun using one of its products, a robot called RAY.

Aircraft cabins can sometimes be tight affairs, potentially making for a challenging environment when it comes to cleaning every last inch of their surfaces. However, RAY can navigate these without human input thanks to its motion-sensing technology. The UV light that it emits sanitizes surfaces in a quick and safe manner.

There is also a sustainability element to Avelo's partnership with Aero HygenX. Indeed, the airline proudly notes that RAY's usage is emissions-free, and avoids the deployment of harmful chemicals. The usage of sanitization robots has become more common amid COVID-19, with United deploying such technology in 2020.

Used on a daily basis

Avelo Airlines' fleet presently consists of six Boeing 737NG ('Next Generation') aircraft. Data from ch.aviation.com shows that three of these are 737-700s, with the other three being 737-800s. With this fleet being relatively small, Avelo is able to utilize RAY to disinfect these jets at the end of each working day.

Interestingly, Avelo's cabins are not the only areas that receive RAY's UV sanitization. Indeed, the carrier notes that the robot also disinfects "Crewmember (employee) workspaces at the airline's West Coast base at Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and its East Coast base at Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN)." Andrew Levy, Avelo's Chair and CEO, added that:

"The safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Crewmembers is our top priority. Our partnership with Aero HygenX bolsters this commitment with the use of their innovative disinfection technology on our aircraft and at our bases. RAY is a safer, faster, more cost-effective, and more sustainable solution than the conventional chemical-based manual disinfection process used by most other airlines.”

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Game-changing technology

The use of RAY looks set to be a game-changer for Avelo. Even as the airline industry recovers from COVID-19, the present emphasis on enhanced cleanliness may well be here to stay. With this in mind, Aero HygenX CEO Arash states:

"Avelo’s partnership with Aero HygenX will enhance its aircraft and airport disinfection regiment, and exemplifies the airline’s commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation. We look forward to growing with Avelo as they add aircraft, bases, Customers and Crewmembers in the future.”

The airline certainly looks to have got itself a good deal, with RAY's UV technology able to "safely destroy up to 99.9% of harmful pathogens in the air and on the surfaces of Avelo's aircraft." Michael Quiello, Head of Safety, Security and Operational Excellence, added that "there is nothing else out there like RAY, and we are proud to be utilizing this breakthrough disinfection technology."

What do you make of this technology? Have you ever flown with Avelo Airlines? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!