Aveo Engineering has announced the worldwide distribution of its cabin and cockpit sanitising system known as Veolite, a method of sanitising aircraft interiors with specific wavelengths of light that target and destroy viruses, germs and moulds. An established company in LED aircraft lighting, Aveo has turned its expertise in design and manufacturing to address the increased need to keep aircraft cabins and cockpits pathogen-free.

“Traditional interior sanitising depends on chemical sprays that leave residues and may damage surfaces, even after being wiped down,” says Rick Lindstrom, Aveo Southwest CEO. “Veolite technology is much easier to use and is more cost-effective: it requires less labour and training, and it can be automated to sanitise only when interiors are unoccupied.

“This isn't a new technology. It's been around for decades in labs and pharmaceutical manufacturing, but COVID-19 has brought an urgent requirement to quickly and effectively disinfect passenger and crew areas. Aveo's Veolite solutions do this by concentrating the same type of natural disinfecting rays provided by the sun.”

Aveo's technology employs several visible and non-visible ultraviolet light wavelengths (depending on whether the interiors are empty or occupied) in its lineup of sanitising products. Initial installations have been dedicated to EMS helicopters.

The visible UV-A purple light is safe for continuous sanitising when the interior is staffed. The more effective UV-C wavelength can destroy the DNA of pathogens in as little as three seconds, but like the sun can eventually cause skin and retina damage. A recently developed technology known as ‘far-UVC’ has promise to be the best of both worlds: effective, yet safe for humans and animals.

To sanitise the odd spaces not in the direct coverage of the fixed lights that can mount almost anywhere inside cabins, cockpits, galleys, lavatories and other areas, Aveo has developed a handheld wand system that uses rechargeable batteries that provide two to five hours of use, depending on battery options. The wands can also be used separately, as passengers, crew and luggage board otherwise-unequipped aircraft.