𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐣𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟?

Airports usually talk about jet blast deflectors as a way to protect buildings, other airplanes, and nearby communities.

But every day, the people who stand closest to the engines are ground staff and maintenance crews are the ones that need more protection.

This article explains, in simple terms, how a modern jet blast deflector can reduce toxic fumes for ground staff, using a real example from José María Córdova International Airport (Rionegro, Colombia).

Vortex Deflector is a company that designs bio-inspired, sealed-surface jet blast deflectors for airports.

A jet blast deflector is a safety barrier that use special aerodynamics that redirects the exhaust of aircraft engines to protect people, equipment, and infrastructure.

CFD simulation, Case study Rionegro airport. stand 18

What is the problem with toxic fumes for ground staff?

When an aircraft engine runs on the ground, it produces:

• Hot exhaust gases

• Toxic pollutants such as NOx, CO, unburned hydrocarbons, and ultrafine particles

• Strong airflow that pushes these gases across the apron and debris as projectiles

Ground staff and maintenance teams often work:

• Very close to other airplanes with their engines running

• For long periods each day

• In areas where exhaust can recirculate and create an unhealthy workplace

Even when noise and blast risk are under control, fume exposure can still be uncomfortable and harmful over time.

CFD simulation of other technology Jet Blast Deflectors.

Video caption, flow deflection visible by water from a fire truck.

At this juncture, the engineered geometry and surface design of the jet blast deflector become critical factors.

Caption from the airport SKRG AIP.

Case study: Rionegro's stands 18 and 19 behind taxiways N, N1, and N2

At José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, there is a good example of how a jet blast deflector can improve working conditions for staff.

• Location: behind taxiways N, N1, and N2 and the engine starting spots 13, 14, 15

• Stands where airplanes such as the A320 or B737-800 will be parked for remote boarding and maintenance: 18 and 19

• Typical use: aircraft from Avianca performing ground operations and maintenance tasks.

• If you visit 6°10'28.44"N, 75°25'47.29"W on Google Earth, you can see this area

Caption from Google Earth, jet blast deflector and apron at airport SKRG Rionegro

Originally, protection in this zone was planned mainly for safe ground operations and protection of other airplanes:

• Reduce noise leaving the airport

• Control jet blast risk toward the perimeter

• Help the airport meet technical operational requirements

In practice, the first people to feel the difference were the maintenance teams and ground staff working daily at stands 18 and 19.

Before the deflector:

• Blast, heat, and fumes were more directly felt in the work area

• Noise levels were high, making communication harder

• Any loose object could potentially become a debris projectile in strong jet blast

With the deflector:

• The exhaust plume is redirected upward

• The work area behind the wall becomes calmer, quieter, and cleaner

• Staff gain protection against blast, debris, noise, and toxic fumes at the same time

Why sealed-surface jet blast deflectors reduce toxic fumes more effectively

Not all jet blast deflectors work the same way.

Older or simplified designs use gaps, mesh, or slotted panels to relieve pressure—an aerodynamic way to deflect high-energy flows.

However, those openings can also allow noise, fumes, and debris to pass through.

Vortex Deflector uses a sealed, continuous new surface with an aerodynamic bio-inspired shape and vortex generators.

This design improves fume control in several ways:

1. Redirecting the exhaust plume upward at an angle that is twice the standard in other technologies

A sealed jet blast deflector forces the exhaust jet to:

• Hit the wall

• Turn upward

• Slow down at a height that is far from ground staff, passengers, etc.

This vertical redirection reduces the amount of exhaust that:

• Spreads horizontally across the apron

• Washes back over the ground staff area

• Builds up near breathing height

2. Preventing direct "leakage paths" for fumes

With no gaps or mesh:

• There are no volume paths for gases to pass straight through the structure

• The deflector acts more like a solid shield between staff and the exhaust source

• This reduces the concentration of pollutants directly behind the wall

For ground staff, this means a safer workplace, with a reduction of exhaust fumes during normal operations.

3. Smoother, more predictable flow

An aerodynamically shaped, sealed surface helps create:

• A more controlled, predictable flow pattern

• Less chaotic recirculation zones behind the wall

• Fewer "hot spots" where fumes swirl and linger at low height

Predictable flow is important for:

• Planning safe work zones

• Positioning equipment and vehicles

• Setting clear procedures for maintenance tasks

AVIANCA A320, stand 18, during maintenance behind the jet blast deflector.

An additional perspective, AVIANCA A320 at the stand 18

Additional benefits: noise, debris, and safety

Although this article focuses on toxic fumes, the same sealed-surface design also improves:

Noise exposure

• The solid surface blocks line-of-sight noise from the engines

• Fewer openings mean less sound leakage through the structure

• Behind the wall, noise levels are lower and hearing protection becomes more effective. A conversation can be sustained even when on the other side a heavy Class D airplane has its engines turning at breakaway power.

Debris and FOD

• A sealed wall acts as a physical shield against debris

• Loose objects lifted by jet blast are more likely to be stopped or redirected

• This reduces the risk of injury and equipment damage in maintenance areas

Overall safety and ESG

For airport operators, this combined effect supports:

• Occupational health and safety goals

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics related to worker exposure

• A clearer message to regulators, unions, and communities that the airport is investing in safer, healthier workplaces

Key takeaways for airport operators

To answer the question "How do jet blast deflectors reduce toxic fumes for ground staff?", the key points are:

• Jet blast deflectors do more than protect buildings and neighbors

• A sealed, well-shaped deflector can redirect exhaust upward, away from ground staff

• By eliminating gaps and mesh, sealed deflectors reduce the direct passage of fumes, noise, and debris

• At Rionegro's stands 18 and 19, this has translated into a cleaner, safer working environment for maintenance crews and ground-handling teams

Vortex Deflector designs jet blast deflectors that reduce noise, toxic fumes, and debris at airports, improving both operational safety and worker health.

Frequently asked questions

1. How does a jet blast deflector specifically reduce toxic fumes for ground staff?

A jet blast deflector reduces toxic fumes by redirecting the exhaust plume upward and away from the work area.

A sealed-surface design prevents fumes from passing directly through the barrier, helping to lower the concentration of exhaust gases where staff are standing.

2. What is the difference between a sealed-surface deflector and a slotted or mesh design?

• Sealed-surface deflectors use a continuous, gapless surface to block and redirect blast, noise, and fumes

• Slotted or mesh designs allow some blast relief but also create openings where noise, gases, and debris can pass through

For protecting ground staff from toxic fumes, a sealed deflector provides more complete separation.

3. Do jet blast deflectors only help with safety, or do they also support sustainability?

They help with both.

By improving air quality and noise conditions for staff, jet blast deflectors support worker health, safety, and ESG goals.

When integrated into smart apron and taxiway layouts, they can also contribute to more efficient surface operations, which indirectly supports fuel and emissions reductions, with 50% shorter pushback distances.

4. How close can ground staff safely work to a jet blast deflector?

Safe distances depend on:

• Aircraft type

• Engine thrust settings

• Local procedures and regulations

However, a well-designed jet blast deflector expands the usable safe area behind the wall by reducing blast strength and fume concentration.

Each project should include a site-specific safety analysis. At Rionegro airport, there is no distance restriction. All the areas at spots 18 and 19 are usable.

5. Can this type of deflector be used in other areas, not just maintenance stands?

Yes.

Sealed jet blast deflectors can be used in:

• Maintenance bays

• Remote stands

• De-icing areas

• High-risk pushback or taxi zones

• Engine run-up areas for regular maintenance checks

Any place where people work near running engines can benefit from better control of noise, blast, and toxic fumes.

If you would like to explore how a sealed-surface jet blast deflector could improve working conditions at your airport, Vortex Deflector can analyze your current stands, taxiways, and blast risks and propose a site-specific solution.