Airline’s COVID-19 preventive measures and air travelers’ perception during Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand

. Aviation in Thailand after the spread of the Covid-19 has drop of 81.7 percent in international and domestic passengers in year 2020.Airlines must develop strategies to get passengers to use their services once more when more people are flying in order to generate revenue. The purpose of this research is to compare the various preventive measures in order to stop the spread of COVID-19implemented by four low-cost airlines in Thailand and how passengers perceive them. Online questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data of 400 sample groups. The findings revealed the perception of the passengers that all four low-cost airlines had the same protective measures in place to stop the spread of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) including measures to prepare the aircraft, screen passengers, manage passenger density, and prepare for emergencies. However, these low-cost airlines employ a variety of preventative measures, such as hygiene regulations for on-board service employees, Service precautions before to boarding, Cabin service measure and passenger hygiene measure. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand can use the study's findings to help create regulations and standards for safeguarding the safety of passengers in critical epidemic conditions like the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).


Introduction
Air travel is significant to the global economy. It provides the quick global transportation network, which makes it crucial for international trade, enables the creation of jobs, and stimulates economic progress (Kankaew, 2022;Ushakov, 2011). From 1970 to 2019, air transportation expanded on a global scale at an average yearly rate of 5.5% due to its massive population and the proportion of people who now have enough disposable income to afford flying.
The Asia-Pacific region has seen the highest growth in aviation worldwide. The covid-19 epidemic, which effectively put a stop to aircraft activities nearly everywhere in the world, abruptly reversed this trend in 2020. COVID-19, which has been raging around the world since January 2020, has forced governments of many countries to implement measures to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the number of new infections. These measures are in addition to controlling the disease. It also caused economic activity to stall due to the inability of people to live a normal life. It has affected the operations of all sectors around the world to compare to other crises in the past (Chan, 2020; Lertamornrat, 2019).
Since the beginning of 2020, Thailand has been dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak crisis which is the worst crisis since the financial crisis in 1997. The tourism sector and tourism-related businesses such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, shopping malls, restaurants and shops are one of the key factors for the economic growth of the country with a proportion of 20 -22 percent of GDP. After the government declared the country's shutdown at the beginning of 2020, preventing domestic and international travel, as a result, there were 6.7 million fewer international visitors to Thailand in 2020 compared to 40 million in 2019, a fall of more than 83%. Thailand is a highly well-known vacation spot for travelers from all over the world, particularly Chinese travelers.
Many Chinese travellers vanish with the occurrence of COVID-19 which have an impact on national income since the end of February 2020 and continued throughout the year 2020. This impact has direct effects on Thai air transportation, with the decrease number of passengers. The government sector by Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)(2020) and other agencies have provided some assistance to the aviation and issued additional measures for airlines that have temporarily stopped service such as lowering or waiving the aircraft and storage fee, reduced fees for air travel and a prolongation of the deadline for excise tax reduction, Cost-saving measures for aviation employees to avoid suspensions and layoffs.
If the COVID-19 outbreak situation becomes better, tourists may change their travel behavior from the past (Old Normal) and adjusted to be a new normal behaviour (New Normal) (Kankaew,2022;Ushakov et al., 2017; Van et al., 2018) which will increase attention to the key components, especially in health, will receive more attention as a result of becoming converted to a new standard of behavior (Sanitation), Clarity (Hygiene), Security (Safety), Social Isolation , Online (Digital), Trust\s (Reliability) as well as Social Responsibility . Therefore, it is imperative for a variety of tourist sector players, including hotels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, and airlines, to plan and modify their service models in line with customer wants and behaviour. Although the epidemic still exists, the airline will continue to operate as long as there is a demand for passengers to travel despite the fact that the epidemic persists. A unique combination of dangers and difficulties come with flying while the COVID-19 pandemic is active, and the situation is constantly shifting. Travel is made as safe as possible by using face masks, getting vaccinated, and taking tests, but the possibility of spreading the virus is not entirely eliminated.
Developing plans to provide incentives is important, airlines must comply with the rules and regulations regarding public health to make passengers satisfied and feel confident in the airline's safety procedures Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) (2020) has adopted the guidelines to prevent the COVID-19 infection from the Department of Health as a recommendation for airport operators and airline operators to implement. In accordance with the rules and policies of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the airlines were required to inform their passengers through a variety of channels of the rules and regulations of the airline as well as the safety precautions taken to stop the infection of the disease. The researcher has an objective to investigate the COVID-19 preventive measures implemented by four low-cost airlines in Thailand-Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Viet Jet in the perception of the passengers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand can use the study's findings to help create regulations and standards for safeguarding the safety of passengers in critical epidemic conditions like the coronavirus pandemic . Additionally, we may use the research results as a framework for low-cost airlines to develop passenger trust and influence their decision to fly with them, which will ultimately increase the company's income of low-cost airlines' passenger including 150 from Thai Air Asia, 88 from Thai Lion Air, 90 from Nok Air, and 72 from Thai Viet Jet.

Department of Airport Thailand
The Department of Airport Thailand (2020) has advised airports to take precautions against COVID-19 as part of their ongoing efforts to prevent pandemics in public transportation by setting up service stations with hand sanitizers that are at least 70% alcohol. To remind people to take care of themselves and to encourage the cleaning staff to spend more cleaning time, establish communication through a variety of channels. cleaning wheelchairs, seats, and handrails with disinfectant wipes, as well as operating equipment, restroom supplies, and different parts of the airport facility with disinfectant spray. Everyone visiting the airport is required to always wear a mask, be checked for temperature measurements both inbound and outbound, and use the Thai Chana app from the Ministry of Public Health to scan a QR code to check in at the location.

Aviation Theory of Safety
Theory of Aviation Safety Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) (2020) from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) state that in order to ensure the highest level of passenger safety, Member States and aeronautical service providers such as accredited aviation training organizations or air traffic service providers must meet administrative requirements in connection with or directly support the operation of safe aircraft. The principal elements influencing the administration of an aviation organization are management systems, Shappell, S.A. & Wiegmen, D.A. (2003). To prevent accidents or ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers, there must be three elements. The first is resource management, which entails correctly and efficiently managing human resources, budgets, tools, and facilities and in conformity with the International Civil Aviation Authority's rules and regulations (ICAO).
The second factor is organizational atmosphere which includes organizational structure which must be proportionate to work properly, organizational policies, which serve as guidelines, and organizational culture which employees must adhere.
The final element is Organization of work processes (Process), which must include operations (Operation), procedures (Procedure), and oversight (Audit) in order to create aviation safety and ensure that passengers can travel safely. The achievement of the safety flying missions is the aviation organization's objective, according to the Royal Thai Air Force Safety Center (2008). The airlines or aviation organizations must put a strong emphasis on organized management. Organizations need to concentrate to get the best results. To be effective, management must be organized in terms of resource management by developing a working environment that includes issuing different regulations and work practices.

Rules and Regulations from the Regulatory Agency
A guideline for passengers during air travel was released in the Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on Practical Guideline for Air Operators, Crew Members, and Airport Operators Conducting Operations during the Outbreak of the COVID-19, (2020).
The first step, passengers' body temperatures should be checked using a non-contact infrared thermometer and their general health should also be assessed. Air operator staff must alert the doctor or public health officer at that airport if any passenger is found to have a body temperature over 37.3C or have any signs or symptoms of an acute respiratory illness, such as cough, sore throat, runny nose. Whenever a risk factor is identified, the second requirement is that passengers must always wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth during the flight, with the exception of emergencies.
The third step is to have a procedures and policies to keep passengers at a safe distance from one another (Social Distancing), which includes conveying people to and from the airplane and maintaining physical distance when retrieving or storing luggage in the overhead compartment. Strolling around the cabin pointlessly, waiting in line for the restroom, and keeping a safe distance from those who need special help. The provision of appropriate alcohol-based hand sanitizer by airlines for use in flight constitutes the fourth need.
The use of personal protection equipment is mandated by the fifth regulation for pilots of airplanes (PPE).
Additional equipment may be provided; such as goggles or protective clothes (PPE). The sixth step is to stop publishing printed publications like newspapers, periodicals, or promotional brochures, with the exception of documents or items pertaining to safety. In accordance with the seventh measure, crew members should only enter the cockpit when absolutely essential and communicate with the pilot primarily using in-aircraft communication equipment (Interphone). The eighth step mandates that passengers on flights that last less than 120 minutes must stop consuming food and drink. However, if an emergency arises or it is required, the cabin crew may take the circumstances into consideration. When it's essential, the cabin crew may offer the passenger drinking water while taking into account their location in an isolated region, as far away from other travellers as possible.
The tenth measure relates to the cabin equipment, such as Safety demonstration kits, which must be disinfected and powered by an APU rather than air from the jetty while the machine is stopped. Using a high efficiency air filter, also known as a HEPA filter, which needs to be changed regularly? If the aircraft has a problem, it must be fixed as soon as possible, particularly if it affects the cooling and circulating systems in the cabin (Air Conditioning Packs and Recirculation Fans).

Preventive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in aircraft
There are eight measures set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (2020) on passenger aircraft in accordance with the rules. and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Authority and the World Health Organization 8 measures including: Measures to prepare the aircraft for deep cleaning of the cabin and touch points, the use of HEPA filters in aircraft, and air spray and air disinfection. Both in the cabin area and in the cockpit of every flight.
Measures for flight attendants' hygiene; flight attendants monitor the flight environment. Food and drinks are not permitted to be consumed on board, masks must be worn at all times, and alcohol gel must be provided for frequent hand washing throughout the flight. Measures of Pre-boarding service Pre-boarding service measures relating to the preparation of symbols to determine a safe distance for service areas such as check-in kiosks baggage claim point passenger shuttle waiting area The use of technology for ticketing, check-in, issuing tickets through online channels and installing self-service devices such as automatic baggage tags passenger screening measures, prior to boarding, passengers' temperatures must be measured properly in accordance with the requirements.
Service measures in the cabin; passengers should wear masks at all times on the aircraft, food and beverages are not permitted on board, and gel is available so that passengers can regularly wash their hands during the journey.
Measures for organizing density regarding the creation of a safe distance sign from the check-in location and when passengers are taken from the plane by a bus. Aerobridges or stairs. Passenger hygiene measures; the use of cloth or masks at all times while flying is a requirement for passenger hygiene. During the flight, passengers will have access to alcohol gel for hand washing.
Measures to prepare for solving emergencies by set up the last three rows of seating to separate passengers who may be carrying the coronavirus. This is related to the layout of the restroom on the far right side for usage in case of suspected infection for quarantine. to keep an eye on and stop the spread of disease.

Methodology
The researcher used quantitative research by One-way ANOVA statistical test. Data collected from400 questionnaires with a domestic low-cost airlines' passenger in Thailand as followed; 150 from Thai Air Asia, 88 from Thai Lion Air, 90 from Nok Air, and 72 from Thai Viet Jetat Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Data collected one time from April to October 2021 as a study's units of analysis. The data were collected in a cross-sectional study or survey. This research hypothesized that four low-cost airlines operating domestically have different safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Results
From the analysis of data collected interpreted that the majority of respondents were female, with 68.50% of who were characterized by being thoughtful having thought before answering the questionnaire can make the survey results reliable. While 25.50% of the respondents were aged between 36-41 years which was considered to have high emotional maturity, considered carefully when answering the questionnaire. This corresponds to the monthly income that 31.50% earn between 48,000-58,000 baht, 37,000-47,000 baht, 25.50%. The education level of the respondents, most of them graduated with a bachelor's degree 63.50%, followed by a master's degree, 20.00% and 33.00 % operate their own business, 26.50% are company employees.
The purpose of travel during the epidemic of COVID were business trips 45.00 % followed by 30% of travelling on duty.
The airlines that passengers use regularly is: Thai AirAsia, 38.00%, Nok Air 24.00%. Their travelling frequency is more than 25 times per year, 52.50%, followed by 27.50% travelling 16-20 times per year.
We can say that all the answering are reliable in the results of the answers and the result of the perception about the COVID-19 preventive measures of all four low cost airlines show in the table below: From the tab. 1 above can summarize that measures to prepare the aircraft, the Sig. value is 0.057, which is greater than 0.05, that is, accept the main hypothesis (H0) and reject the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that all 4 low-cost airlines have set safety measures in preventing the spread of COVID-19 is no different. in terms of aircraft preparation measures statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Regarding the hygiene measures of flight attendants, the Sig. value is 0.000, which is less than 0.05, that is, rejecting the main hypothesis (H0) and accepting the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that all 4 low-cost airlines have set different preventive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in terms of hygiene measures for service personnel on board aircraft statistically significant at the 0.05 level. In terms of Pre-boarding service measures, the Sig. value is 0.038, which is less than 0.05, that is, reject the main hypothesis (H0) and accept the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the airlines are different. There are different preventive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in terms of service measures before boarding statistically significant at the 0.05 level.
In terms of passenger screening measures, the Sig. value is 0.065, which is greater than 0.05 that is, accept the main hypothesis (H0) and reject the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the four low-cost airlines are different. There are no different preventive measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. in terms of passenger screening measures statistically significant at the 0.05 level. In terms of service measures in the cabin, the Sig. value is 0.000, which is less than 0.05, that is, reject the main hypothesis (H0) and accept the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the airlines are different.
There are different safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in terms of service measures in the passenger compartment statistically significant at the 0.05 level.
For measures to organize passenger density, the Sig. value is 0.118, which is greater than 0.05, that is, accept the main hypothesis (H0) and reject the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the airlines are different. There are no different safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. In terms of measures to organize passenger density statistically significant at the 0.05 level.
In terms of passenger hygiene measures, the Sig. value is 0.006, which is less than 0.05, i.e. reject the main hypothesis (H0) and accept the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the four low-cost airlines are different. COVID-19 preventive measures have been set differently in terms of passenger hygiene measures. Therefore, the difference was tested in pairs by using the LSD test to compare the mean pairs. The results were shown in Tab. 1. Regarding emergency preparation measures, the Sig. value is 0.168, which is greater than 0.05 that is, accept the main hypothesis (H0) and reject the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the airlines are different.
There are no different COVID-19 preventive measures in terms of preparation measures for solving emergencies statistically significant at the 0.05 level. For the overall statistics, the Sig. value is 0.167, which is greater than 0.05 that is, accept the main hypothesis (H0) and reject the secondary hypothesis (H1), meaning that the four low-cost airlines have established safety measures to prevent them. The spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was not significantly different in the overall picture at 0.05 level.

Conclusions
It was determined using One-way ANOVA statistical test to compare the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19of low cost airlines in Thailand and found that all four low-cost airlines, -Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Viet Jet, and Nok Air-have no different preventive measures first in terms of aircraft preparation measures. All airlines have procedures for deep cleaning of the cabin and touch points, the use of HEPA filters, air spray and air disinfection in the aircraft both in the cabin area and in the cockpit on every flight. This also could create the image value to the airlines that influencing the choice of passenger (Worasuwannarak & Kankaew, 2022 plane. ladders and aerobridges; and fourth measures to prepare for solving emergencies related to the arrangement of the toilet on the far right side for using in case of suspected infection for quarantine and the last three rows of seating arrangements are to isolate passengers suspected of being infected with the coronavirus to monitor and prevent the spread of disease.
As for the measures that all four low-cost airlines take different measures to prevent the spread of COVID19, they are first, measure for the flight attendant's hygiene in relation to monitor passengers to wear masks at all times on the plane, food and beverages are not allowed to be eaten on board and supply alcohol gel for passengers to wash their hands regularly throughout the flight.
Second, Pre-boarding service measures relating to the preparation of symbols to determine a safe distance for service areas such as check-in kiosks baggage claim point passenger shuttle waiting area The use of technology for ticketing, check-in, issuing tickets through online channels and installing self-service devices such as automatic baggage tags thirdly, in-cabin service measures relating to the suspension of food and beverage services during the flight Increasing the frequency of cleaning of the toilets during flights and the separation of passengers with suspected symptoms from passengers who do not have symptoms.
Lastly, Passenger hygiene measures relating to passengers wearing masks or cloth masks all the time on the plane Provision of alcohol gel for passengers to wash their hands regularly throughout the flight.

Recommendations
From this study, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand can use the study's findings to help create regulations and standards for safeguarding the safety of passengers in critical epidemic conditions like the coronavirus pandemic . Additionally, we may use the research results as a framework for low-cost airlines to develop passenger trust and influence their decision to fly with them, which will ultimately increase the company's income. Additionally, we may use the research results as a reference to low-cost airlines in order to establish trust with customers and influence their decision to fly with them, which will increase the company's income.