Bahrain International Airport is certified with the highest 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Rating

By Peter Miller, Skytrax – London, UK

Bahrain International Airport has been Certified with the highest 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating in recognition of the airport achieving the highest standard of hygiene and safety protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating is awarded to Bahrain International Airport following a detailed Audit evaluation of COVID-19 Safety standards conducted by Skytrax in December 2021.

This Safety Accreditation is regarded as a global benchmark for defining safe travel assurance for customers and a top recognition of the effectiveness of the safety measures introduced by Bahrain International Airport to protect their customers and staff against the spread of coronavirus.

The Audit assessed 175 different safety protocols related specifically to the COVID-19 pandemic that serve to reduce risk and enhance customer and staff wellbeing. The inspections examined the implementation of health, hygiene, and safety measures in accordance with the recommendations of the ICAO Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force, in addition to requirements from the Kingdom of Bahrain Government.

Mr Mohamed Yousif Albinflalah , Bahrain Airport Company Chief Executive Officer said: “We are proud to obtain this 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Rating which recognizes the immense efforts made by our team on a daily basis to ensure our customers travel with complete peace of mind. We dedicate this award to the government of Bahrain, which has taken proactive measures since the start of the pandemic to protect public health and safety, as well as to the frontline healthcare workers, who have worked tirelessly to keep people the people of Bahrain safe. Since January, BIA has received several awards and recognition from international bodies for its exceptional standards and efforts to protect passengers’ health and safety. We remain committed to ensuring that travel through the airport is safe, pleasant, and hassle free.”

The 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating recognises very high standards of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures, with these protocols adhered to consistently.

Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “The standard, efficiency and consistency of COVID-19 Safety protocols that are provided here at Bahrain International Airport are excellent, and we congratulate Bahrain Airport Company on receiving this highest COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. This Safety Rating provides a great assurance to customers travelling through Bahrain International Airport and highlights the effectiveness of the hygiene and safety protocols they have put place. COVID-19 safety has to provide the safest environment for customers and staff, and Bahrain International Airport has shown itself to be a leader in this area. ”

Bahrain International Airport introduced a most extensive programme of safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease. Throughout the terminal, there are frequent hand sanitisers, including high-contact areas such as check-in, boarding gates, and self-service facilities.

Frequently touched surfaces have been treated with anti-microbial coatings, social distancing is provided throughout the terminal with a range of floor markers and seat markers.

Front line service counters have been fitted with rigid screens, and self-service points such as ATM’s, vending machines etc all have hand sanitisers adjacent. All airport users are required to wear face masks.

Terminal cleanliness standards are rated as excellent, and this is verified throughout the COVID-19 Audit using ATP testing to analyse and evaluate this.

The COVID-19 Safety Rating evaluates how effectively and consistently COVID-19 procedures are being provided,  including terminal cleanliness, cleaning and disinfection systems, standard and usage conformity of staff personal protective equipment, branding, standard and application of social distancing signage, floor markers and seat distancing, hand sanitiser facilities, airport PA guidance, organisation and control of passenger flows around the airport, security screening hygiene systems, general passenger facilities (e.g. baggage trolleys) and control of social distancing and face mask usage.

A 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating recognises very high standards of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures. Airports achieving 5-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, 5-Star COVID-19 Airports may use UV sanitisation and mass disinfectant treatments which are scientifically evaluated.

ABOUT BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
With its advanced technology and convenience-oriented approach, the new Passenger Terminal aims to put Bahrain International Airport on the global aviation map alongside the world’s leading smart airports. It was designed to enhance efficiency and security while meeting passengers’ growing expectations for a more seamless airport experience. Advancements in automation streamline some of the most time-consuming processes and procedures, giving passengers more control over their journeys. At 210,000 sq m, the new Passenger Terminal increases Bahrain International Airport’s capacity to 14 million passengers and 130,000 air traffic movements per year with a handling capacity of 4,700 bags per peak hour.

ABOUT SKYTRAX
Skytrax is the International air transport rating organisation established in 1989 and based in London, United Kingdom. In 2020, Skytrax launched the COVID-19 Safety Ratings covering airports across the world, providing independent, expert evaluation and certification of airport COVID-19 hygiene and safety measures. The Skytrax COVID-19 Safety Accreditation is regarded as a global benchmark for defining safe travel assurance for customers.

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