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Quad City Airport COVID-19 Response

May 4, 2020

QCIA COVID RESPONSE

May 4, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS
Airlines serving the Quad City International Airport have updated their policies and protocols to protect the health and safety of passengers and crew members. These policies and protocols include face coverings, in-flight food and beverage service, seat availability and more.

Effective May 1, the state of Illinois requires face coverings indoors and in places where it is not possible to keep a safe distance. Airlines may have their own requirements. Information specifically related to face coverings are listed below. For additional information, please review each airline’s website or contact their customer service team directly.

  • Allegiant Air: Face coverings are strongly encouraged.
  • American Airlines: Face coverings will be required for passengers beginning May 11.
  • Delta Airlines: Face coverings will be required beginning May 4, including at check-in, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and onboard.
  • United Airlines: Face coverings will be required beginning May 4.

May 1, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS
The Quad City International Airport is committed to the health and safety of all of its employees, tenants and visitors to the airport. The wearing of face coverings is recommended by the CDC and is required by the State of Illinois to protect individuals from COVID-19 exposure. Please note the following updates:

  • Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth must be worn by any individual entering the Badging and Training Office and must be worn for the duration of the visit.
  • Please use the hand sanitizer provided at the door prior to entering.
  • When in the office please practice social distancing ensuring 6 ft. between you and any other individual.
  • Only one non-MAA individual will be allowed in the Badging and Training Office at one time.

April 15, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS

Quad City International Airport to receive $8 million from CARES Act

The Quad City International Airport will get an $8 million slice of the federal stimulus package that designated $10 billion to U.S. airports. With passenger travel down around 90% nationwide, airports are expected to lose billions in revenue. The CARES Act funding will help ensure airports can continue to provide critical infrastructure, allowing for the transport of goods, supplies and essential personnel.

Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E., executive director of QCIA credits Illinois’ representatives for helping to secure the funding for Moline. “I am grateful for the support of Congresswoman Bustos, and Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their ongoing support. We know the long-term impact will be substantial and slow to recover. We feel fortunate that our representatives understand the importance of our state’s aviation industry and continue to be advocates.”

Prior to the outbreak, the airport had several projects in progress, including partnering with an air service development firm, and selecting a design firm to modernize the landside terminal. Other customer-focused amenities were mere weeks away from launching, including adding valet parking and beginning construction on solar paneled covered parking structures.

“We are still moving forward with our plans – much of the funding for these projects was already coming from the FAA and other federal grants but the way we approach them and the timing has changed,” said Leischner. “We are assessing our greatest needs, pressing pause on certain projects that depend on customer traffic and tackling other projects that maybe we hadn’t considered a priority but now make perfect sense to complete with fewer passengers, such as repainting parking lots.”

The airport has also remained employee-focused, keeping all of its direct employees employed and instituting progressive sick leave policies. The airport has nearly 100 direct employees.

“We know this is a scary time for people and it is important to us that our employees feel safe and supported,” said Jo Johnson-Meineke, director of human resources and risk management. “Our HR staff is staying up-to-date on the evolving federal and state policies, and remains available to any of our employees who may have questions or unique needs.”

The Quad City International Airport remains open and operational for essential travel. Routes may be reduced or canceled so passengers needing to travel are encouraged to stay in contact with their airline. Increased cleaning and social distancing measures have been put in place in accordance with CDC guidelines.

March 20, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS

Airports provide essential services and infrastructure and are exempt from today’s stay-at-home order issued by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. However, the airport will make several modifications to staffing to ensure employees are protected and the opportunity for exposure for all people at the airport is reduced.

The administrative offices will be closed through April 7 to comply with the governor’s order. Passengers should continue contacting their airline directly for assistance rescheduling or canceling flights. The four airlines serving the Quad City International Airport have established dedicated sites in response to COVID-19 to help passengers know their options:

If passengers need immediate assistance, they can call the dispatch line at 309-757-1739. Please note, this is only for assistance at the airport and they cannot change or cancel air travel.

Domestic air travel continues and a shutdown could only be issued at the federal level. Therefore, police, fire, maintenance and TSA will still operate normally. Restaurants remain exempt from the order but may operate with reduced hours based on passenger foot traffic.

 March 18, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS

COVID-19 FAQs

Safety and security are always our number one priority. The Quad City International Airport will stay open as long as it is safe to do so. The airport follows all recommendations from local and state health departments, Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other authorities, and will take appropriate action as directed. We know many of you have questions, so we have created a list of COVID-19 FAQs related to airport operations. Links for other resources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Is the airport open?

The airport is open and operational. We follow all public health protocols and have increased cleaning, are adding more hand sanitizer stations in public and employee areas and will post recommendations for how to prevent disease from spreading.

Why doesn’t the Quad City International Airport screen passengers?

There are 13 ports of entry located at major U.S. air hubs are accepting passengers returning to the U.S. from countries considered high-risk. However, if a passenger or crew member believes they may be positive for COVID-19 while en route to the Quad City International Airport, there are procedures in place to ensure the safety of everyone on board and proper transfer to medical facilities as needed.

Can the airport change or cancel my flight?

The airport cannot make any changes or cancel flights. Please contact the airline directly. The four airlines serving the Quad City International Airport have established dedicated sites in response to COVID-19 to help passengers know their options:

Is the airport restaurant open?

The executive order issued by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker exempts several public facilities, including airports. We have a responsibility to offer food to passengers but want to do so in a manner that follows CDC guidelines. Takeout is available and we have also moved tables into open areas so customers can maintain distance.

Can I still pay cash for parking?

Cash payments are available during the day. However, from 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. daily, only credit cards may be used. If you have any issues while exiting, please use the intercom box and you will be assisted.

March 16, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS

Illinois Executive Order in Response to Covid-19

On March 16, Governor J. B. Pritzker issued an executive order mandating that all food and beverage businesses in Illinois close to dine-in customers until March 30. The order specifically states that businesses located in airports are exempt. However, out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with the CDC’s recommendations for social distancing, the airport is working with its restaurant operator, Airhost, to move tables outside of the leased space and into the airport terminal. The full executive order is available here.

March 11, 2020 | MOLINE, ILLINOIS

The Quad City International Airport remains fully operational at this time. Airport leaders are monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and rely on the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC), WHO, and Illinois and Iowa state health departments for recommended actions.

Passengers are encouraged to contact their airline with any questions related to upcoming travel, including any travel waivers or changes in itineraries.

Quad City International Airport Actions

The airport follows guidance provided by public health officials and other authorities. To protect passengers and employees, and to help minimize the spread of the virus, the airport is:

  • Increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces, like door handles and handrails.
  • Increasing hand sanitizing stations available to passengers and employees.
  • Providing educational materials to employees about the virus, how it spreads, how to protect themselves and what to do if they suspect they may be sick.
  • Monitoring the situation closely and reviewing action plans.

Steps to Prevent Illness (cdc.gov)

While there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, there are preventative measures people can take. Recommendations include:

  • Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
  • Only wearing a facemask if you are sick and in public, or caring for someone who is sick and unable to wear a facemask.

This situation continues to evolve and any updates to airport operations will be posted at qcairport.com.

For additional information about COVID-19, please see the links below:

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashleigh Johnston, Public Relations and Marketing Manager at 309-757-1743 or [email protected].

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