Travel Advice – Coronavirus Travel Update

Find out more on Coronavirus and Travel Updates

This page provides the latest information on travel restrictions, flight cancellations as well as travel requirements during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are continually monitoring the situation, including travel restrictions and updates to travel policies that may impact you given the rapidly evolving nature of responses to COVID-19. The information is correct to the best of Air Niugini’s knowledge at the time of publication. Air Niugini reserves the right to add or update information at any time.

Air Niugini will continue to operate in a safe and compliant manner, adhering to advice from the PNG Government as per the Pandemic Measures issued to mitigate the risks in the spread against Coronavirus (COVID-19).

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

There are NO travel requirements and restrictions when travelling domestically within Papua New Guinea (PNG)

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Due to the rapid change in requirements this information is provided as a guide and the final obligation remains with the passenger to confirm with their destination country (and any countries of transit) as to the latest requirements. Normal travel requirements such as passport validity, travel visas,  certificate of  vaccination etc. also apply.

A:  TRAVEL INTO PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA 

As of Thursday 06th October, PNG has removed all Covid-19 restrictions associated with air travel. This includes the requirement to wear a mask whilst inside airport terminals, or wear a mask on an aircraft. It also removes the requirement that passengers travelling to PNG from overseas have to show evidence of having been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Note: Visa On Arrival (VOA) still suspended, therefore must have valid PNG Visa prior to Travel Date.  Official website to apply for PNG Visa;  https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/account/Apply

B:  INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES FROM PNG

From 1am  25th April, all pre-departure testing will cease at the airport for all flights . 

All passengers should proceed directly to the Departures Check in through the Main Terminal Entrance. For passengers transiting onto flights to other international destinations  you will be asked for evidence that your destination does not require a pre-departure test at time of check-in. We recommend checking for latest information at https://www.airniugini.com.pg/international-travel-restrictions-and-requirements/ and bringing a screen shot of your destinations requirements with you to check-in. 

Pre-departure Covid tests are no longer required for travel to Australia. 

Countries that do not require pre-departure tests include, the UK, EU, Scandinavia , Canada, Australia, Brazil, South Africa. Countries requiring pre-departure rapid tests include USA, NZ and Indonesia.  Countries requiring PCR tests include Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea.  This information is rapidly changing and passengers must  check on the latest requirements.

If travelling to Singapore, Hong Kong or Manila, or transiting to a country that requires a negative certificate the certificate must be issued by a Doctor and  include at least the following information

  1. the date and time of the test;
  2. the name of the individual tested, as stated in the passport;
  3. at least one other personal identifier such as date of birth or passport number;
  4. the type of test conducted;
  5. the brand and make of the test;
  6. that the specimen for the test was collected, and the test was carried out, by or under the supervision of a Doctor;
  7. the result of the test (such as ‘negative’ or ‘not detected’);
  8. the signature of the Doctor providing the certificate, as well as their Authority to Practise Number.

C:  TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA

Australia is open for travel from citizens from all countries including PNG

  • From Tuesday 05th July, travellers to Australia are no longer required to complete the Australia Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD), nor will they be required to produce Covid-19 Proof of Vaccination at check-in.
  • PNG citizens who have chosen not to be vaccinated are also now able to travel from PNG to Australia (and return).
  • Where passengers are transiting through Australia, they need to ensure that they (passengers) are compliant with any Proof of Vaccination both for their onward airline, any countries of transit and their final destination. For example, Qantas at present only uplifts passengers with evidence of being fully vaccinated. Failure to meet these onward requirements may result in the onward airline refusing to uplift the passenger. Air Niugini will still require passengers to produce these necessary documents to support their travel at check-in in Port Moresby.

WHAT TO PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN

  1. Pre-departure Covid test is no longer required.
  2. Normal Travel Documents
  3. Australian Digital Passenger Declaration no longer required. 
  4. Proof of Vaccination no longer required for passengers stopping in Australia. Passengers transiting through Australia will need to provide proof of Vaccination at Check-in in Port Moresby if their onward airline or country requires Proof of Vaccination.

Updated Border Measures – International Border Advice to Industry – 05 January 2023

Updates to border entry requirements for travellers entering Australia from China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The Australian Government continues to monitor the global COVID-19 situation. A number of countries are currently experiencing significant surges in COVID-19 infections, most notably there is a very significant wave currently underway in China. In response the requirements for passengers entering Australia from the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau are changing.

Arrangements from 5 January 2023 – COVID-19 test requirements

From 00:01 AEDT on 5 January 2023, passengers entering Australia from the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test within a period of 48 hours of travelling to Australia, and to produce evidence of a negative test result prior to boarding and on arrival (if requested).

This applies to passengers entering Australia by air from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, either on a direct flight, or on a flight that has a stopover in another country before landing in Australia. The testing requirement does not apply to those who travel from China, including Hong Kong or Macau to another country and spend several days there prior to travelling to Australia. It does not apply to passengers who have an exemption.

If a passenger is transiting Australia and directly travelling to an onwards destination, a negative test result is not required.

Evidence of a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or any type of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), which includes Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, prior to scheduled departure will be accepted.

Exemptions to requirement for negative COVID-19 test

The requirement is for passengers to undertake a COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to travel and the requirement to provide show evidence of a negative test applies to passengers entering from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, either on a direct flight, or on a flight that has a stopover in another country before landing in Australia.

The requirements do not apply to airline crew.

The requirements do not apply to passengers transiting Australia and directly travelling to an onwards destination.

The following exemptions apply:

  • children under 12 years old on the day they are scheduled to depart.
  • People with evidence from a medical practitioner of a COVID-19 infection in the last 30 days, including confirmation that they are no longer infectious or symptomatic, and the day of the first positive test result (which must be at least 7 days before the date of the medical certificate) .
  • People with evidence from a medical practitioner in the last 30 days that they have a medical condition that prevents them from undertaking a COVID-19 test.
  • Emergency medical evacuation flights and those accompanying people on these flights.

Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test

Effective from 00:01 AEDT on 5 January 2023, the following (alternative) requirements apply:

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

Evidence of a negative test administered or supervised by a medical practitioner in the 48 hours prior to scheduled departure.

Passengers must provide an electronic or paper statement issued to them by a medical practitioner or testing provider, which includes the following:

  1. the date and time of the test;
  2. the name of the individual tested;
  3. the type of test conducted;
  4. the brand and make of the test;
  5. that the specimen for the test was collected, and the test was carried out, by or under the supervision of a medical practitioner;
  6. the result of the test (such as ‘negative’ or ‘not detected’);
  7. the signature of the medical practitioner providing the certificate.

The evidence does not need to be in English.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT)

A result from your testing provider can be used as evidence of a negative test if a NAAT test is used.

 If the flight is delayed, the passenger meets the pre-departure testing requirements. They do not need a new RAT, PCR test or other NAAT.

If the flight has been re-scheduled or cancelled, the passenger will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 RAT, NAAT or PCR test result taken within the appropriate timeframe of the re-scheduled or newly booked flight.

More information about updated pre-departure test requirements, including: the evidence required for medical exemptions from testing; and what to do when travellers present a positive result but have recovered from COVID-19, is available on the Department of Health website.

Calculating timeframes associated with COVID-19 testing requirement

Where a passenger is required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of scheduled departure, the scheduled time of departure counts as hour zero.

For example, where a passenger’s flight is scheduled to depart on a Thursday (day zero), a PCR test would need to be taken sometime on the Tuesday (48 hours prior) or Wednesday (24 hours prior).

Questions and answers

Q: When do these new requirements come into effect?

  • The testing requirements apply to affected passengers due to arrive in Australia after 00:01 5 January 2023, until further notice.

Q: Will a RAT or PCR test be needed?

  • A negative RAT or PCR test result from a test conducted within 48 hours of departure will be accepted.
  • A RAT test will need to be verified by a medical professional to be valid.

Q: Does this requirement apply to Australian citizens and permanent residents?

  • All passengers entering Australia from China, including Hong Kong or Macau must undergo pre-departure testing and provide evidence of their negative test result. This includes Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Q: Is testing required for passengers that transit through China, including Hong Kong and Macau?

  • Travellers on flights transiting through China, including Hong Kong and Macau originating in other countries do not need to undertake pre-departure testing. For example, people boarding a flight in London that transits through Hong Kong and ends in Sydney do not need to test.
  • However, the testing requirement does apply to those who travel to China, including Hong Kong or Macau from another country and spend several days there prior to travelling to Australia.

Q: Do the requirements apply to passengers from China, including Hong Kong or Macau that are transiting Australia for an onward destination?

  • If a passenger is transiting Australia and directly travelling to an onwards destination, a negative test result is not required.

Q: Does this requirement apply to passengers on a flight that has a stop in another country?

  • All people boarding flights originating in China, including Hong Kong and Macau and ending in Australia need to be able to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test. This includes indirect flights that transit through a third country. For example, from Hong Kong to Singapore before ending in Australia.

Q: Are tests needed for passengers from China transiting through Australia to an onward destination?

  • If a person is travelling directly through Australia to another country, a negative test result is not required.
  • However, if a person intends to spend several days in Australia before travelling to a third country, a negative pre-departure test is required.

Q: Does the requirement apply to passengers that have had the COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to undertake pre-departure testing if they are travelling to Australia from China, including Hong Kong or Macau.

D:  TRAVEL TO SINGAPORE

Singapore is open for travel from citizens from all countries including PNG

WHAT TO PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN

  1. Pre-departure Covid test is no longer required.
  2. Normal Travel Documents
  3. Proof of Vaccination. Certificates valid for travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) ,  the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital  Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries. The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number.  The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com  or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani. Passengers of ages 12 years and below are Exempted from having to provide evidence of having taken taking the Covid19 Vaccine.
  4. Passengers must submit an electronic health declaration form 3 days prior to the date of arrival in Singapore via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-service or via the mobile application. This does not apply to passengers connecting through Singapore. Fully vaccinated passengers who had been vaccinated outside Singapore must submit a Recognised digitally verifiable vaccination certificate (DVC), via the SC Arrival Card or via the mobile application. Travellers fully vaccinated in Singapore or do not hold a recognised DVC, do not have to submit their certificates. Refer to the vaccination certificate FAQ for more information.
  5. All Travellers must install and activate the TraceTogether app mobile application on their mobile phones for contact tracing. Children aged 6 and below in this calendar year and individuals who are unable to use a mobile device due to a certified disability or special need can obtain a TraceTogether token after arrival in Singapore.

TRANSIT VIA SINGAPORE

All travellers are allowed to transit through Singapore, onto any airline including spending time outside of the airport.

E:  TRAVEL TO MANILA

Philippines is open for travel from citizens from all countries including PNG

ENTRY GUIDELINES

As per IATF Resolution No. 2 (s. 2022) on the ENTRY, QUARANTINE and TESTING Requirements of inbound travelers to the Philippines

A. FULLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

  • No pre-departure COVID-19 Test requirement
  • Must have received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.

B. UNVACCINATED or PARTIALLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

  1. Travelers 15 years and older shall present a remotely supervised/laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, or other similar establishment taken 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.
  2. Travelers 15 years and older who fail to present a negative pre-departure testing shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based Antigen Test UPON ARRIVAL at the airport.
  3. ACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them.
  4. UNACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the protocols set forth in Section B (1) and (2) above.

NOTE:

– Any inbound traveler, whether Filipino or Foreign national, who shall test positive for COVID-19 through rapid antigen test shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH.

Acceptable Proof of Vaccination:

  1. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;
  2. VaxCertPH;
  3. National or State Manual/Digital Vaccination Certificate of the Country/Foreign Government;
  4. Other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.

Follow link to review the detailed IATF Resolution No. 2, s. 2022: http://bit.ly/3XxhDJI 

WHAT TO PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN

  1. Normal Travel Documents
  2. Proof of Vaccination.   Certificates valid for travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) ,  the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital  Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries.     The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number.    The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com  or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani.  Passengers of ages 12 years and below are Exempted from having to provide evidence of having taken taking the Covid19 Vaccine.
  3. Pre-departure test is not required for passengers over the age of 18 who have received their booster vaccine dose. Fully Vaccinated passengers need to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a remotely supervised, or laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test, administered and certified by healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, taken within twenty (24)  hours, prior to departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers, provided the passenger has not left the airport premises or was not admitted into the transit country.
  4. Health Insurance may be required in some cases. For these cases, passengers must have travel insurance to cover COVID-19 expenses, with minimum coverage of USD 35,000. This does not apply to nationals of the Philippines. 

F:  TRAVEL TO HONG KONG

Air Niugini operates every Saturday to Hong Kong and return. At present only Hong Kong citizens or Permanent Residents are permitted uplift to Hong Kong.

WHAT TO PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN
  1. Normal Travel Documents
  2. Proof of Vaccination.   Certificates valid for travel includes (amongst others) the PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination (ICCV) ,  the WHO yellow card, the Australian Covid-19 Digital  Vaccination Certificate, as well as compliant certificates issued by other countries.     The Green Card PNG Vaccination Certificate is not valid for international travel, as it does not include either the persons Date of Birth or their Passport Number.    The PNG International Certificate of Covid Vaccination is available from PNG National Department of Health (NDoH) upon production of a copy of your green vaccination card and passport either to email: intvaccinecertificate@gmail.com  or by visiting the NDoH office- Level 3 Aopi Centre in Waigani.  Passengers of ages 12 years and below are Exempted from having to provide evidence of having taken taking the Covid19 Vaccine. You must also carry your PNG “Green Card” as Hong Kong Authorities require to sight where you received your vaccinations. This information is not on the PNG ICCV.
  3. You must complete a negative PCR test at Port Moresby airport within 24 hours of departure.  You must bring the negative certificate with you to check-in.

G:  TRAVEL OF PASSENGERS CONTINUING TO TEST POSITIVE  

HISTORICAL COVID-19 CASES:  

  1. NZ: Individuals with past (recovered) cases of COVID-19 who have a positive test result taken less than 48 hours prior to the departure of the first leg of their flight, and a medical certificate showing that the individual is no longer considered by a medical practitioner to be infectious with COVID-19.
  2. UK: No pre-flight testing is required for entry into the UK
  3. USA: If you tested positive for COVID-19, do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.

HISTORICAL COVID-19 CASES:   TRAVEL TO MANILA (PASSENGERS CONTINUING TO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19)

Fully Recovered Philippine Nationals with Positive RT-PCR Pre-Departure Test Results:   Note:  Non-Philippine Citizens must test negative as a condition of uplift to Manila

  • Medical Certificate from a licensed physician stating that the traveler:
    • was an asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe or critical case of COVID-19
    • has completed the mandatory isolation period
    • is no longer infectious; and
    • has been allowed free movement/travel
  • Positive RT-PCR test taken 10-30 days prior to departure from the country of origin

HISTORICAL COVID-19 CASES:   TRAVEL TO HONG KONG  (PASSENGERS CONTINUING TO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19)

Uplift of  Historical Cases to Hong Kong is presently not approved

HISTORIAL COVID-19 CASES:   TRANSIT TO OTHER DESTINATIONS NOT LISTED ABOVE

For onwards travel to other countries, the passenger must email Air Niugini at least 48 hours in advance at NOC Approval nocapproval@airniugini.com.pg .   This must include what your destination country is,  and evidence of the requirements of your destination country.   Additionally what countries are to be transited and the requirements for your country/ countries of transit (other than Australia and Singapore as above) and evidence that you satisfy these requirements.  This will normally be a printout of the countries requirements from their applicable webpage).

H:  TRAVEL TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

For all fully COVID-19 vaccinated passengers, pre-departure COVID-19 testing and pre-approval prior to departure is no longer required for entry to Solomon Islands. Unvaccinated Solomon Islands citizens can also return home however pre-departure testing requirements still remain.

WHAT TO PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN

  1. Normal Travel Documents
  2. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination certificate at check-in and again to immigration on arrival in Solomon Islands.

More details available here:  https://www.flysolomons.com/plan/australia-solomon-islands-travel-advice 

INTERACTIVE GLOBAL COVID-19 TRAVEL WIDGET

Thinking of travelling internationally? To avoid unpleasant surprises, please use our interactive map to check country-specific entry requirements before your travel. 

Click the link to view the interactive map: https://bit.ly/33EGzY0

The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and the associated entry requirements and restrictions being imposed by relevant Government authorities are beyond the airline’s control.

Important Notices & Forms

We understand your travel concerns and we’re here to help in these challenging times.  All intending travelers are strongly advised to check all relevant travel requirements for International and Domestic Travel as issued by Government Authorities.

Air Niugini Sales Offices are open for business and 08:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays. Air Niugini Waigani and BTC offices operate Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

For new bookings, visit your nearest Air Niugini Sales Office or Travel Agent. Online Bookings are temporarily unavailable until further notice.

You may also contact our Call Centre on Toll-Free Number 180 3444 or +675 327 3444 or email csc@airniugini.com.pg for bookings and general assistance. The Call Centre operates daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times and we encourage all to stay safe and practice high levels of hygiene. Stay healthy and stay safe.

 

Booking Changes and Cancellations

Rebooking of existing travel – COVID-19 – Updated 08 April 2020

Customers with rebooking inquiries as a result of disruptions to travel caused by the travel ban can be sent via email to csc@airniugini.com.pg. A representative of our team will be in touch with you to assist accordingly.

What we’re doing to keep you safe

As a valued and loyal customer, we continue to update you on the evolving situation, and the precautionary measures Air Niugini is taking to protect your well-being whenever you travel with us.   

The health and safety of the people of PNG, our passengers, and our crew are always our absolute priority. Air Niugini has always been proud of the steps we take every day to ensure our processes are the world’s best in protecting the health of our passengers and staff.   We are taking a number of additional steps to enhance your protection on our flights, and to reduce any risk of COVID-19 being spread by travelers.  We note that the World Health Organisation has advised that there is an extremely low risk of cross-transmission between passengers and crew and that to date there has been no confirmed inflight transmission of COVID-19 anywhere in the world.

To date Air Niugini is already;

  • Ensuring our aircraft are sprayed with hospital-type disinfectants every night they are at a maintenance base, including Port Moresby.
  • Ensuring all our offices where we interact with you, our customers, such as sales outlets, are sprayed with hospital-type disinfectant every night
  • Reducing and canceling flights voluntarily for those locations where the infection rates were previously increasing rapidly such as previously through Asia, and we will continue to do so to all locations showing signs of significant spread.  
  • Replacing headrest covers every time an aircraft transits through Port Moresby
  • Removing in-flight magazines from all our aircraft, to reduce any risk of cross-transmission
  • Ensuring in-flight blankets are cleaned using industrial laundry practices, whenever their sealed container has been opened and replacing earpiece covers on all distributed headsets after every flight.
  • Ensuring at all international departure airports with increased levels of infection that enhanced screening processes are in place and being implemented to reduce any chance we uplift any passengers to PNG who are showing any symptoms of COVID-19
  • Ensuring all headsets, blankets and headrests are removed off all seats, prior to the aircraft cleaning.

Providing all our staff who are interacting with the public, including our cabin crew and check-in staff, with personal protective equipment appropriate to the risk level for their role and location. 

Our senior leaders are meeting regularly to discuss our ongoing response and ensure we have the latest information from health authorities. We stand ready to support passengers who need to change their travel due to COVID-19, and we’re waiving change fees for eligible guests.

Air Niugini acknowledges that this is a rapidly evolving situation, and Air Niugini already has well-developed plans ready to roll out should there be any reported cases of COVID-19 in PNG. Whilst we acknowledge some of these may mean your travel experience seems different from normal, these would be implemented to minimize any chances of domestic transmission of COVID-19 within PNG, and to ensure your and our staff’s safety on all our domestic flights. 

Hygiene Practices

As noted, to date, there has been no confirmed inflight transmission of COVID-19 anywhere in the world, but it’s still important that you are aware that we maintain the highest hygiene and cleaning practices on our aircraft and on the ground.   We’re closely following all advice received from WHO,

PNG and other worldwide medical authorities, regarding precautions that are needed to minimize risks concerned with COVID-19.  We’re ensuring our crew maintains high hygiene standards in the cabin, including practicing proper hygiene procedures.

All our flights are equipped with hand sanitizer and face masks, and if any guest presents as unwell or with flu-like symptoms on one of our flights, they’ll be provided with a face mask and hand sanitizer, and where possible, moved away from other passengers.

Aircraft Cleaning

We uphold the highest standards when it comes to cleaning our aircraft and have stringent processes in place. Our aircraft are cleaned every night they are at a maintenance base, including Port Moresby, and on every transit through Port Moresby, which includes the use of an antibacterial, antimicrobial cleaning product that reduces the risk of harmful viruses, molds, fungus, algae, and any other possible harmful pathogenic bacteria. 

Our Boeing aircraft are also fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which perform similarly to those used to keep the air clean in hospital operating rooms. This means the air quality on the aircraft is essentially sterile and particle-free.