September 25th, 2020 – Long Island MacArthur Airport officials and Silver Defender representatives reapplied state-of-the-art antimicrobial film protection on high-touch surfaces throughout the airport terminal. Silver Defender is a film adhesive containing silver ions that react with germ cells to help keep surfaces disinfected, and is harmless to people and pets.
“Silver Defender guards against germs on high-touch points, and provides another layer of protection for our customers,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “As we recover from the serious effects of COVID-19 on the airline industry and society as a whole, we continue to focus on what people need to feel safe and have peace of mind when they return to travel,” Carpenter added.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is the first airport in the country to put Silver Defender to work on surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons. The germ-fighting action of the film adhesives continues for up to 90 days. The MacArthur Airport team performed the initial Silver Defender installation this summer, and is currently conducting a second wave of application within the terminal.
“We’re committed to developing a new standard of clean through Silver Defender products and are proud to work closely with Long Island MacArthur Airport on their safety initiatives at such a pivotal time,” said Zeynep “Z” Ekemen, Managing Partner of Silver Defender. “As travelers return to the skies and our sense of a new normal continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever to maintain best practices that keep our communities safe.”
“MacArthur Airport was also the first airport in the world to activate an air and surface pathogen reduction system that is working 24/7 in the terminal,” explained Airport Commissioner, Shelley LaRose-Arken. “Additionally, we have traditional cleaning crews using some of the most effective hospital grade products in the industry. Our goal is to help create a comfortable atmosphere as our customers return to the skies,” she added. Airport officials recently added a touchless vending machine for personal protective equipment (PPE) for travelers who need additional cleaning wipes or who wish to purchase hand sanitizer and other products.
“All of these disinfection methods complement the impeccable cleaning and safety measures onboard aircraft,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “Some of the measures our carriers are using to make customers comfortable include HEPA filters that refresh the air onboard, extra cleaning, temperature checks, open middle seats, and more flexibility with changing travel plans,” she added.
“Our customers and community are extremely respectful of physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and hand washing,” Supervisor Carpenter added. “We are in this together and ready to get back to seeing family and friends, and enjoying travel. The measures the airport and airlines are taking, along with the care and concern of our customers and employees, is helping us move forward together for Long Island,” she said.