Airport services provider and retailer Luggage-Point has used a period of enforced inactivity brought about by COVID-19 to launch a new product from its subsidiary business, Enviro-Point. The Travel Safe Portable Hygiene Kit includes face masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes and a hand sanitiser.
The new Enviro-Point safety kits – available for an introductory price of £7.50 – are designed to be sold in-store or online and can also be vended from customised ‘Travel Safe’ kiosks within travel hubs and shopping centres.
UK airports Newcastle International and Bristol will become the first to install the Travel Safe vending machines.
Each Travel Safe Portable Hygiene Kit – measuring 14 x 20 x 2cm – contains two 3-ply disposable face masks, two pairs of gloves, a packet of ten disinfectant wipes and a 100 ml hand sanitiser bottle, all contained in a re-usable travel pouch.
Luggage-Point Retail & Services Director Graeme Stewart said: “As a business, our companies have had to re-assess and look for new innovative operational processes and products in order to comply with new safety measures surrounding COVID-19.
“As lockdown relaxes and the world re-opens its doors, everyday life and travel will be very different – a new ‘normal’ will be witnessed. Measures such as social distancing, face masks, hand sanitising and temperature checks will become standard throughout the travel industry for the foreseeable future whether travelling by train, air, sea, or road.
“To reflect these changes, Enviro-Point’s Travel Safe Portable Hygiene Kit will further strengthen operator measures, whilst also removing the worry and stress for travellers.”
Newcastle International Airport will install an Enviro-Point Travel Safe vending machine to sell the kits before the end of June. Head of Commercial Dean Ward said: “The safety of our passengers and staff remains our priority. We have been working very hard to ensure the terminal is a safe environment when flights resume and have implemented robust new procedures throughout the passenger journey.”
He added: “Enviro-Point’s innovative new kits are an excellent addition and will provide passengers with additional peace of mind that PPE is available within the terminal should they require it.”
Speaking about the post-COVID-19 future of the original Luggage-Point business – which retails luggage, wraps baggage and offers a range of other in-airport services – Stewart told The Moodie Davitt Report: “We remain excited for our future growth opportunities within the UK and internationally and look forward to embracing the updated travel routine, whilst ensuring our teams and customers remain safe following up to date guidance.
“We believe elements of our Luggage-Point business may re-open at the end of June/early July on a reduced service with internal flights – typically business travel, families returning to see loved ones, and eventually moving on to holidays as that market picks up again.”
