Athens International Airport is certified with the 4-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating
By Peter Miller, Skytrax – London, UK
Athens International Airport has been certified as a COVID-19 4-Star Airport, by international air transport rating agency Skytrax. COVID-19 Airport Rating includes cleaning and disinfection procedures, social distancing policies and control, face mask usage, sanitiser availability, standard and use of PPE by staff in the airport, and other hygiene applications being used.
The COVID-19 audit inspections and tests were carried out by Skytrax in September, the audit is 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 COVID-19 Airport Rating applied.
Athens International Airport during COVID-19
COVID-19 procedures for customer information, social distancing, and hand hygiene have been introduced at Athens Airport with an appealing and coherent brand. The lack of consistency here relates to disparities in the markings in some high movement areas such as tax-free shopping, and similarly, the placement and visibility of some hand hygiene which is not always optimal.
Athens International Airport during COVID-19
While there is a clear suggestion that terminal access is for passengers and staff only, this is not observed to be enforced during the audit. This does not however seem to have an overly negative impact on social distancing factors.
Generally, the management of queues at check-in, security, and immigration is good but the systematic checks for passenger locator forms are leading to pinch points in the Schengen arrivals area. Skytrax also noted that aspects of recommended hygiene policies are not being correctly implemented at security screening for departures.
Athens International Airport during COVID-19
There is a good active presence of cleaning staff, and the visual element of terminal cleanliness is satisfactory. Some of the audit ATP testing did however demonstrate that cleaning and disinfection procedures could be more regular and detailed for certain high touch points around customer seating areas, and in the toilets.
Athens International 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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» Athens International Airport 4-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating
ABOUT THE COVID-19 AIRPORT RATING
The 4-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating indicates a good standard of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures. Airports achieving 4-Star deliver some Best Practice systems of cleanliness and hygiene monitoring, but these may be applied inconsistently. 4-Star rated airports deliver good visual cleanliness and terminal presentation standards, in addition to robust disinfection and hygiene measures which 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