Istanbul Airport first to earn ACI reaccreditation for COVID-19 health measures

6 July 2021

Airport was also first to join ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme in 2020.

Montreal and Brussels, 05 July 2021 – Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI EUROPE have today announced that Istanbul Airport is the first airport in the world to be reaccredited through the Airport Health Accreditation programme

Accreditation is granted for 12 months. Istanbul Airport was first in the world to be accredited in 2020 and now the airport is the first in the world to be reaccredited for another 12 months since ACI opened the programme for reaccreditation in June.

The programme is supported by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It has been updated this year and remains aligned with the latest ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) Recommendations and with the ACI EUROPE Guidelines for a Healthy Passenger Experience which are in turn aligned with the EASA/ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol. The programme is also aligned with industry best practices including ACI’s own updated Aviation Business Restart and Recovery publication.

Since the programme was launched in July 2020, more than 600 airports of all sizes have signed up to the programme.

“Fostering confidence in air travel will be key to the sustained recovery of the industry and we congratulate the Istanbul Airport team for again demonstrating to passengers that their health and safety is an overriding priority,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira and ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said. “Recovery will be best achieved through a coordinated and globally harmonised approach which is aligned with global standards. Istanbul has set an example for the industry in pursuing this through the Airport Health Accreditation programme which provides airports with an assessment of their health measures against globally accepted standards.”

“For about 2 years, the whole world has been struggling with a health crisis that has deeply affected the humankind. With the acceleration of the vaccination campaign and the beginning of the summer season, we entered a process in which we are approaching the best scenario in terms of aviation. As iGA, we have come a long way in terms of health measures by putting extra effort until we saw this optimistic view. Seeing that the steps taken in terms of health measures in Istanbul Airport were later implemented in different industries is the biggest proof of how we excelled at our work." Kadri Samsunlu, Chief Executive Officer of iGA Airport Operation, said.

"This year, we continue our efforts to offer our passengers "a safe travel experience" by keeping hygiene at the highest level. Once again, we have been awarded the "Airport Health Accreditation" that was given to Istanbul Airport for the first time last year by the Airports Council International (ACI). With this certificate, which we received through rigorous audits, we also ensured the sustainability of our practices in health measures. I would especially like to highlight that we will never compromise on the hygiene standards achieved in Istanbul Airport".

All passenger areas and processes are assessed through the programme including terminal access, check-in areas, security screening, boarding gates, lounges, retail, food and beverages, gate equipment such as boarding bridges, escalators and elevators, border control areas and facilities (in collaboration with authorities), baggage claim area and arrivals exit.

Processes assessed include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing, staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.

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  • Note to editors

    1. More information about the ACI Airport Health Accreditation Programme.

    2. Stay up to date with ACI World’s COVID-19 communications through its dedicated news hub.

     

    Media contacts

    Anita Berthier
    Director, Communications
    ACI World  
    Email: mediarelations@aci.aero
    Telephone: +1 514 373 1254 


    Siobhán O’Donnell
    Acting Director, Media & Communications
    ACI EUROPE
    Email: siobhan.odonnell@daa.ie
    Tel: +353 87 2710065

    Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, customer-centric and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2021, ACI serves 701 members, operating 1933 airports in 183 countries.

    ACI EUROPE (Airport Council International) is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Our members facilitate over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 13.5 million jobs, generating €886 billion in European economic activity (4.4% of GDP). In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019 our members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting.