Wastewater-based analysis of antimicrobial resistance at UK airports: Evaluating the potential opportunities and challenges

Airports are significant hubs for microbial communities, with 40 million annual passenger flights. Wastewater from airports and aircraft can be a potential route for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission and a valuable tool for global AMR surveillance. A study found that aircraft wastewater resistomes were compositionally distinct from those at airport terminals, with flights from Asia and Africa carrying more unique ARGs. The study provides the first comprehensive investigation of AMR in wastewater from multiple international airports, highlighting the need for standardized approaches for AMR monitoring in airport environments.