London Gatwick Airport is Certified as a 3-Star COVID-19 Airport
By Peter Miller, Skytrax – London, UK
London Gatwick Airport has been certified as a COVID-19 3-Star Airport, by international air transport rating agency Skytrax.
The Skytrax COVID-19 audit at Gatwick was conducted in September, the process based on a combination of procedural efficiency checks, visual observation analysis and ATP sampling tests, with the consistency of standards being a key determinant in the final rating applied. The COVID-19 audit assessed the North Terminal which is currently in use at Gatwick.
Gatwick Airport during COVID-19
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “London Gatwick Airport provide an extensive range of COVID-19 hygiene procedures and systems to deliver a safer environment for customers and staff, and overall the rating results produced a COVID-19 rating between 3 and 3.5 Star. We believe that with some minor changes and improvements Gatwick Airport would rate as a 4-Star COVID-19 airport.”
Gatwick Airport during COVID-19
A strong feature of London Gatwick’s COVID-19 Rating is the frequency and coherent brand of information signage position through the North Terminal. This is implemented on a variety of static banners and posters, some floor decals, and digital screens. In addition to this, the regularity and visibility of hand hygiene points is at a highly competitive standard.
Gatwick Airport during COVID-19
While social distancing protocols are encouraged on general information signage provided by the airport, the terminal does have a number of systematic gaps at the loading and retrieval points of security screening, and markers on public seating which are completely absent. This would be a significant improvement the airport could make, and such changes could be quick to achieve.
Gatwick Airport during COVID-19
Overall, the terminal cleanliness monitoring is being well applied by staff, and ATP testing suggests that cleaning techniques are appropriate. Visually, there is less litter in the public areas than we have previously observed at this airport. While there are concerns about the poor condition of seating in arrivals and the post-security commercial area, we found good cleanliness from the ATP results, suggesting that while quite tatty, such seating areas are at least clean.
Gatwick Airport during COVID-19
COVID-19 Airport Ratings are based on scientific study and analysis by Skytrax and involve no element of self-testing or evaluation by an airport – this is not simply a virtual analysis of procedures an airport hopes to be implemented. The analysis of hygiene protocols includes reference to ICAO, EASA and ECDC COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety guidelines.
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» London Gatwick Airport 3-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating
ABOUT THE COVID-19 3-STAR AIRPORT RATING
The 3-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating indicates an average standard of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures. Airports achieving 3-Star have Best Practice systems for cleanliness but do not apply the necessary cleaning and hygiene protocols on a regular or consistent basis. 3-Star rated airports deliver reasonable visual cleanliness and terminal presentation standards, and the disinfection and hygiene measures have been scientifically evaluated.
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, subject to border opening regulations.
For more details about the COVID-19 Airport Rating, use our Contact Us form.