Italian Airport First in the World to Receive COVID Five-Star Rating

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22 September 2020

Rome Fiumicino Airport is the first airport in the world to be certified with the COVID-19 Five-Star Airport Rating, by international air transport rating agency Skytrax.

Particular highlights identified from the audit include effective signage and information systems and the airport’s in-house Bio-Safety Team. This group of 40 staff members work to facilitate social distancing and ensure compliance with face mask usage.

All COVID-19 Airport Rating requires Skytrax audit teams to physically visit each airport and carry out the hygiene analysis, and airports in the Middle East, Asia and North America are expected to be covered from October 2020, this subject to border opening regulations.

Based on a combination of procedural efficiency checks, ATP sampling tests and visual observation analysis, the three-day audit was conducted in September, leading to the top rating for the Italian airport.

Other European ratings announced so far include London Heathrow Airport (Three-Star), Malaga Airport (Three-Star) and Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (Three-Star).

“In the core areas of hand hygiene and social distancing the airport has robust procedures in place, and importantly, this is being reinforced by a high-level of attention to terminal sanitisation at high-contact points."

–Edward Plaisted

CEO, Skytrax

What Measures did Rome Fiumicino Airport Take?

• Consolidated operations to use Terminal 3 for check-in and arrival, and Concourse Gates E for departure and transfer flights, to effectively manage passengers and hygiene measures.
• Daily passenger numbers are at approximately 30 per cent of the usual levels.
• A visible presence of cleaning staff in customer-facing areas.
• Testing several UV sanitisation methods which further enhance hygiene levels at high-contact points such as elevators and escalators. 
• ATP testing of frequently touched surfaces.

How does the Audit Work?

COVID-19 Airport Ratings are based on scientific study and analysis by Skytrax. The analysis of hygiene protocols includes reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety guidelines.

The Five-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating recognises very high standards of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures. Airports achieving Five-Star deliver many Best Practice systems of cleanliness and hygiene monitoring, and most importantly, these protocols are adhered to consistently. In addition to excellent visual cleanliness and terminal presentation standards, Five-Star airports provide exceptional disinfection and hygiene measures that deliver a 75 per cent pass rate during scientific validation.

Edward Plaisted of Skytrax commented: “Rome Fiumicino Airport has done an excellent job in delivering COVID-19 protocols that enable a safe environment for customers and staff. 

“In the core areas of hand hygiene and social distancing the airport has robust procedures in place, and importantly, this is being reinforced by a high-level of attention to terminal sanitisation at high-contact points. It is the consistency of these measures that is also notable, and this is an essential factor behind Rome Fiumicino Airport being the first airport in the world to receive the COVID-19 5-Star Airport Rating.”

Picture: A photograph of a washroom at Rome Fiumicino Airport, showing sinks that include social distancing signage. Image Credit: Skytrax

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 September 2020

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