WHO aircraft disinsection. The four methods compared.
The World Health Organization’s Aircraft Disinsection Methods and Procedures, second edition (2023), describes pre-embarkation, residual, pre-departure and on-arrival treatment. Here is how they differ and where our Florida service fits.
The methods differ in treatment timing, passenger presence and duration. Our Florida application service is pre-embarkation only.
Aircraft cabin disinsection methods at a glance
Method
When and how
Passengers aboard?
Applies to
Pre-embarkationOUR SERVICE
Aerosol treatment of the empty cabin before boarding, at the last departure airport before the destination country.
No
One flight sector
Residual
Longer-lasting insecticide applied to interior surfaces while the aircraft is empty and on the ground.
No
The period accepted by the destination authority
Pre-departure
Cabin aerosol treatment after passengers board and aircraft doors close, before push-back.
Yes
That flight sector
On-arrival
Treatment after landing, before passengers disembark, under arrival-authority supervision.
Yes
That arrival
This table compares cabin methods. Cargo holds can have separate treatment requirements. Each destination determines the methods and conditions it accepts.
What happened to top-of-descent spraying?
The WHO second edition describes pre-departure as the replacement for the earlier top-of-descent method. Cabin spraying takes place at the departure airport before push-back, rather than during descent.
PRE-EMBARKATION · OUR SERVICE
Empty aircraft. Before boarding. Here in Florida.
We treat the unoccupied aircraft with an aircraft disinsection aerosol selected for the applicable procedure. Required waiting and ventilation periods are completed before passengers board.
Pre-embarkation covers one flight sector. We review your route to establish whether your Florida airport is the appropriate final departure point, coordinate with the crew and prepare the applicable treatment certificate and records.
Pre-departure cabin treatment takes place with passengers seated, aircraft doors closed and overhead and sidewall lockers still open. It is performed before the aircraft is pushed back for departure.
This is a different procedure from our empty-aircraft pre-embarkation service.
ON-ARRIVAL · METHOD EXPLAINER
After landing. Before disembarkation.
On-arrival treatment takes place under the supervision of the destination authority while passengers remain aboard. It may be required when earlier disinsection was not completed or cannot be verified, or when the authority requires additional treatment.
The aircraft operator may be charged for arrival treatment. We provide the records for the pre-embarkation work we perform in Florida.
RESIDUAL · METHOD EXPLAINER
A longer-lasting surface treatment.
Residual disinsection leaves an insecticide deposit on interior surfaces. Treatment is carried out on the ground with the aircraft empty, and its accepted duration depends on the destination authority’s conditions.
Residual treatment is included here to explain the WHO methods. Aircraft Disinsection Florida offers pre-embarkation service only.
WHICH METHOD FITS YOUR FLIGHT?
Your destination. Your treatment plan.
Send your departure airport, destination, travel date and every intermediate stop. We review the arrival requirements and confirm whether pre-embarkation fits your itinerary, including the required aircraft areas, paperwork and any operator arrangements.
A method listed by WHO is not automatically accepted for every destination. The arrival authority sets the requirements for your flight.
Pre-embarkation, residual, pre-departure and on-arrival. The WHO Aircraft Disinsection Methods and Procedures, second edition (2023), describes the cabin and hold procedures associated with these methods.
Is top-of-descent spraying still a WHO-recommended method?+
The WHO second edition replaces the earlier top-of-descent cabin method with pre-departure treatment at the departure airport before push-back.
Which method does Aircraft Disinsection Florida perform?+
Pre-embarkation only. Aquarius Lux performs treatment at the agreed Florida departure location while the aircraft is unoccupied, before passengers board, and supplies the applicable treatment certificate and records.
Does every country accept all four methods?+
No. Destinations decide which methods, products, documentation and operator arrangements they accept. We review your complete itinerary before confirming the pre-embarkation service for your flight.
Which methods take place without passengers aboard?+
Pre-embarkation and residual cabin treatment are performed with the aircraft empty. Pre-departure and on-arrival cabin treatment take place with passengers aboard.
Does pre-embarkation cover multiple flight sectors?+
Pre-embarkation generally covers a single flight sector. Include fuel stops and repositioning legs when sending your route so we can establish where treatment should take place.
