Rome Fiumicino Airport the first airport in the world to receive COVID-19 5-Star Airport Rating
By Peter Miller, Skytrax – London, UK
Rome Fiumicino Airport is the first airport in the world to be Certified with the COVID-19 5-Star Airport Rating, by international air transport rating agency Skytrax.
The COVID-19 audit by Skytrax was conducted over 3 days in September and 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 rating applied.
The COVID-19 systems and procedures put in place across Rome Fiumicino Airport are meeting a rigorous standard, and Skytrax verified the frontline success of the implementation for keeping airport staff and customers safe.
Skytrax identified that the general policies relating to COVID-19 procedures are well enforced at Rome Fiumicino Airport, with effective signage and information systems that have been implemented with excellent brand cohesion and intelligibility. In high movement areas of the terminal, the airport has an in-house Bio-Safety Team of 40 staff that facilitate social distancing and ensure compliance with face mask usage.
Rome Fiumicino Airport Bio-Safety Team
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: “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.”
Mr. Marco Troncone, CEO of Rome Fiumicino Airport said: “We are very satisfied with this new award as it once again is a significant international recognition of the efforts of the company which, during the emergency, in addition to the protocols prescribed by the Government, has adopted further measures to ensure the maximum breadth and depth of preventive interventions allowing the airports of the Italian capital to continue to operate in conditions of maximum safety.”
Rome Fiumicino Airport during COVID-19
To effectively manage passengers and hygiene measures, Rome Airport has consolidated operations to use Terminal 3 for check-in and arrival, and Concourse Gates E for departure and transfer flights. The daily passenger numbers are at approximately 30% of the usual levels, but the open Italian border and fairly low COVID-19 rates means that the airport remains quite busy and vibrant.
In customer facing areas, the airport has a visible presence of cleaning staff, and the airport is 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 indicated that where staff are applying maintenance this is to a good standard, and the airport continues to assess how this can improve.
Rome Fiumicino Airport during COVID-19
COVID-19 Airport Ratings are based on scientific study and analysis by Skytrax and involves 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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» Rome Fiumicino Airport 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Rating
ABOUT THE COVID-19 5-STAR AIRPORT RATING
The 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 new techniques for UV sanitisation, and mass disinfectant treatments which are scientifically evaluated.
Skytrax commenced the COVID-19 Airport Rating in August 2020, and the airports covered are all in Europe. The ratings so far announced include London Heathrow Airport (3-Star), Malaga Airport (3-Star) and Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (3-Star).
Rome Fiumicino Airport during COVID-19
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.
Skytrax COVID-19 Airport Hygiene analysis
