Aircraft disinsection

WHO defines ‘disinsection’ as: the procedure whereby health measures are taken to control or kill the insect vectors of human diseases present in baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods, and postal parcels. This is a requirement to meet the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) to control insect vectors of human diseases.

The International Health Regulations 2005 (IHRs) took effect on 15 June 2007. The IHRs establish global benchmark standards to prevent, protect against, control, and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. The IHRs continue to maintain that the disinsection of aircraft is a necessary measure to help prevent the spread of vector borne diseases.

• Report of the Informal Consultation on Aircraft Disinsection, WHO/HQ, Geneva, 6-10 November 1995
• Why Aircraft Disinsection?, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 2000
• WHO aircraft disinsection methods and procedures, 2nd ed World Health Organization, 23 November 2023.

As outlined in the Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia and New Zealand V5.3 there are four types of disinsection methods that can be used:

• Residual – carried out without passengers onboard. The entire aircraft is sprayed with a residual insecticide and lasts up to eight weeks.
• Pre-embarkation – carried out prior to passengers boarding but after catering is loaded and all service doors are closed. Any aerosol disinsection of hold areas is carried out after cargo is loaded. The treatment lasts for the duration of the single flight sector.
• Pre-departure – carried out after passenger embarkation but before the overhead lockers are closed and the aircraft is pushed back for departure. Any aerosol disinsection of hold areas is carried out after cargo is loaded. The treatment is lasts for the duration of a single flight sector.
• On-arrival – a spray, carried out once the aircraft lands in Australia or New Zealand but before passengers can disembark or cargo is unloaded. The treatment is administered by or under supervision of biosecurity staff in the country of arrival.

Approval to perform either residual and or pre–embarkation disinsection is dependent on airlines entering into a class 43.1 disinsection treatment Approved Arrangement (AA) with the department or a Compliance Agreement (CA) with MPI. The department and MPI work in partnership and honour each other’s AA and CA’s and any other disinsection undertakings as required.

These arrangements and agreements ensure airlines have prescribed procedures and processes that meet the requirements set out by the department and MPI.

Airlines holding an arrangement or agreement will be subject to auditing and monitoring requirements. This may include conducting verification and efficacy testing of the disinsection treatment.

An airline needs to understand their ongoing requirements and obligations when entering into an AA or CA. If an airline fails to meet their obligations the airline may be subject to non-compliance action.

Approve arrangements

Section 405 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 provides for the adoption of arrangements relevant to certain biosecurity activities. These arrangements are legally binding between the department and an industry party (the airline) and require the airline to perform specific disinsection related tasks in an agreed manner.

To enter into an AA with the department your airline must review the:

• Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia and New Zealand V5.3
• AA general policies
• Class 43.1 disinsection treatment requirements

Prior to applying for an AA Class 43.1 for aircraft disinsection treatment, airlines should contact the department by emailing arrivals@aff.gov.au to commence discussions.

When applying for an AA, the following need to be completed:

• Application form
• Contract of services – if applicable

Further information can be found in applying for an approved arrangement.

The on-arrival disinsection method will take place if an airline has not satisfactorily performed disinsection prior to their arrival. This will incur a fee for service charge to the airline operator.

Compliance Agreements

Airlines wishing to secure a Compliance Agreement with MPI in New Zealand should email disinsectionmatters@mpi.govt.nz to commence discussions.

Prior to entering into a CA, airlines will need to provide MPI with:

• detailed documented procedures for chosen method(s)
• intended routes (commercial aircraft) to Australia and New Zealand
• aircraft types flying to Australia and New Zealand
• appropriate airline contacts
• details of intended applicator(s).

Whilst entering into an Approved Arrangement (AA) with the department or a Compliance Agreement (CA) with MPI is voluntary, they are beneficial to operators who maintain regular/scheduled flights into Australia and/or New Zealand.

Some of these benefits include:

• methods are undertaken in the absence of passengers providing an improved traveller experience.
• streamlined processes, for example airlines can complete disembarkation activities without waiting for a biosecurity officer to attend the aircraft.
• access to the Aircraft Disinsection Information (ADI) Application, to facilitate electronic reporting of disinsection status prior to arrival.
• improved airline staff and contracted third party applicator knowledge, because of training provided by the airline in relation to disinsection activities including their role and responsibilities.
• airline engagement with the department/MPI will promote awareness of human health and disinsection related activities.

Airlines must complete a certificate for all disinsection methods, except for the On-Arrival method. The required certificates are found in the appendices of the Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia and New Zealand V5.3. A copy of the appropriate certificate must be carried onboard the aircraft for each arrival into Australia or New Zealand.

The biosecurity officers will complete or supervise a respray on arrival. This is a chargeable service and can delay the disembarkation of passengers and cargo.

For treatment methods conducted overseas, airlines can use any brand they prefer provided they meet the requirements and standard defined by the WHO for aircraft disinsection including manufacturing specifications, active ingredients approved for the method of application. For more information refer to the Schedule of Aircraft Disinsection Procedures for Flights into Australia and New Zealand V5.3 and the WHO aircraft disinsection methods and procedures, 2nd ed in the first instance.

Airlines may only use brands regulated and approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for treatment methods conducted in Australia.

Airlines may only use brands approved by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) when conducting a disinsection treatment in New Zealand.

In Australia:

• the provision of disinsection aerosol cans is the responsibility of the airline, ground staff or their appointed ground handling agent.

In New Zealand:

• the airline can either supply the cans, or biosecurity officers at the port of arrival can provide these. In this instance, the cost of aerosol cans may be recovered. If you require biosecurity officers to provide cans, it is preferable to advise the local port in advance.

The amount of residual spray varies depending on the aircraft type. The minimum amount of spray can be found in the WHO aircraft disinsection methods and procedures, 2nd ed If the aircraft is not listed but the aircraft dimensions are known, airlines can use the WHO Spray rates calculator. Alternatively, airlines can contact either the department or MPI to check the amount of treatment required by emailing arrivals@aff.gov.au (the department) or disinsectionmatters@mpi.govt.nz (MPI).

Any airline or aircraft operator on an Approved Arrangement Class 43.1 with the department must hold an AA43.1 Contract of Service (CoS - form) completed with a third-party treatment provider for the aircraft cabin and/or hold (cargo areas).

• All completed AA43.1 CoS forms must be submitted to the department.
• All treatments performed/applied by a third party, under an AA 43.1, must be in accordance with the airline’s disinsection procedures under their AA 43.1.

Note: Contract of Service is not required for Compliance Agreement holders, but all new or additional applicators must be approved by MPI prior to commencing treatments.