"Critical Moments Needs Critical Measures" says China Southern President

China Southern Airlines "is using every means possible to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)," according to Mr. Wang Chang Shun, President, China Southern Airlines.

Mr. Wang recently visited numerous company departments at its worldwide headquarters at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou to encourage all employees to be ever vigilant in personal hygiene and disinfection and made the rounds to China Southern Airlines' System Operations Control Center; Aviation Hygienic Center; GAMECO Maintenance Center; Cabin Service Department and the airline's main Ticket Office to take his message of support to staff and management in the fight against SARS.

"Thank you for your persistent work and sticking to the daily task of education and personal responsibility," commented Mr. Wang to the assembled staff, adding that China Southern Airlines' senior management team "has been relentless in its effort to use every means possible to prevent the spread of SARS."

Accompanied by China Southern Airlines' Safety Inspection Team, Mr. Wang also traveled to nearby Shenzhen and inspected the efforts being made by China Southern's Shenzhen Branch's against SARS. After meeting with the assembled staff from the Flight Dispatch; Maintenance; Passenger and Cargo Departments, Mr. Wang said, "We will not give up. We will fight not  only this disease but - more importantly - we will fight the fear around the  world that SARS has created by providing clear and concise information about this disease."

According to IATA, in the two months since the SARS problem emerged, airlines have carried about 200 Million passengers, of which approximately one-third in Asia. There has been less than six cases in which SARS is thought to have been transmitted on board the aircraft, and these were prior to screening procedures were put in place.

China Southern Airlines has instituted the following measures - initially introduced in mid-April - to combat SARS and ensure the health of all passengers, company staff and employees:

Special Task Force Established

Under the direction of Mr. Wang, China Southern Airlines has created a SARS Protection & Work Task Force to coordinate all airline health and safety measures with local Guangdong and International governmental health organizations. This task force is empowered with implementing all comprehensive airline measures for SARS monitoring, guidance and protection.

Comprehensive Disinfection

All China Southern Airlines' ticketing counters, lounges and check-in areas are being constantly disinfected - from early morning to late evening - every day.

Monitoring Cabin Environment

All China Southern Airlines' flight attendants wear single-use gloves during all in-flight meal services. All in-flight equipment, including seats and tray tables are being disinfected before and after each flight. Blankets and pillows used by passengers are being used only during one flight and then recycled. All China Southern Airlines' flight attendants are paying special attention to any passenger showing suspected symptoms of SARS and will make the necessary separation of that passenger. Prior to each flight, ground staff will clean and disinfect all vent holes and tubing to ensure normal in-flight ventilation use. All aircraft will be equipped with numerous facemasks, gloves and medicines available for use by passengers and in-flight staff.

Strictly Monitor All Suspect SARS Passengers

The China Southern Airlines' check-in staff is unyielding in their inquiry of passengers prior to boarding. All passengers are having their temperatures being taken prior to boarding and any suspected SARS symptom passenger will be denied boarding on any China Southern Airlines flight. In addition, all domestic (China) passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form prior to boarding.

SARS Trained Staff

All front-line airport and in-flight airline staff are assisting passengers by providing clear and concise information on SARS symptoms and protection methods.

Fully Accommodating SARS Infected Passengers' Travel Schedule

China Southern Airlines is offering those passengers who are confirmed with SARS or suspected SARS infected passengers - to change or postpone their flight at no charge.

Extensive Individual Self-Care Promotion

The airline has been extensively publicizing basic SARS protection information and constantly informing its more than 32,000 employees on the importance of personal health care in order to ensure passengers health and normal airline operation.

Air Crew Protection

All working environments for China Southern Airlines' air crew - including the cockpit and all public areas uses by flight attendants - are being vigorously disinfected, this includes all ground transportation shuttle buses and common areas.

The air in China Southern Airlines' Airbus and Boeing aircraft is completely changed every 3-5 minutes. Not only that, even the part of the air that is recycled is filtered though High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These are efficient in filtering particles in the air, including bacteria and viruses.

Staff Separation Procedures

Any China Southern Airlines' employee - once found to have SARS-related symptoms - will be immediately sent to a pre-designated hospital and quarantined. All family members and colleagues will also be requested to seek immediate medical treatment and observation.