OR Tambo International Airport has received an airport health accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI).
According to a statement from the airport, its continuous application of health and safety protocols has been recognised by ACI which has certified the airport under its Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) programme.
The programme was developed in the wake of COVID-19 and provides airports with an assessment of how their measures align with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO’s Council Aviation Restart Task Force recommendations, along with other industry best practices.
“The ACI AHA programme enables airports to demonstrate to passengers, staff, regulators, and governments that we are prioritising health and safety in a coherent and measurable manner,” said OR Tambo gm, Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana.
Accreditation covers an airport’s adherence to best practice in cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing, staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.
“While there have been setbacks across the world in combating COVID-19, it remains critical that airports continue to demonstrate to passengers, airlines and governments that we provide a safe environment,” said Bongiwe.
She added that airports remained vital cogs in the aviation ecosystem and that the AHA programme would help to restore passenger confidence in air travel.
“We are most pleased to receive this accreditation, which not only recognises our adherence to international best practice but which also provides the levels of passenger confidence that will support recovery in the aviation sector,” she concluded.
