AIRPORT UPDATE
Keeping It Clean Technology plays a big role in airport sanitizing and disinfecting processes. BY MARY MELNICK
RECENTLY SKYTRAX RELEASED ITS REPORT ON THE WORLD’S CLEANEST AIRPORTS IN 2021. TOKYO HANEDA AIRPORT MAINTAINED ITS GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AS THE 2021 WINNER OF THE WORLD’S CLEANEST AIRPORT.
World’s Cleanest Airport: Tokyo Haneda Airport PHOTO: © KUREMO | DREAMSTIME.COM
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lthough airport cleanliness has always been important to travelers as well as employees, as the pandemic lingers it remains top-of-mind and something people observe closely. Many airports installed extra hand sanitizing stations and implemented enhanced cleaning procedures and other practices. Skytrax created the Airport Safety Rating, evaluating airports and services to determine the efficiency and consistency of COVID-19 prevention procedures. The evaluation addresses terminal cleanliness, cleaning and disinfection, usage of the staff ’s personal protective
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equipment, social distancing signage (including floor markers and seat distancing), the addition of hand sanitizer dispensers and more. To evaluate the cleaning process, the evaluation tests high-touch/ contact areas to check whether surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned and highlights where changes to cleaning technique or frequency may be needed. Recently Skytrax released its report on the world’s cleanest airports in 2021. Tokyo Haneda Airport maintained its global leadership as the 2021 winner of the World’s Cleanest Airport, with Changi Airport Singapore coming in second and Tokyo Narita Airport taking third. Mr. Isao Takashiro, chairman and CEO, Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. at Haneda Airport, said, “Haneda Airport has been selected as Japan’s first airport in Asia at the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. Also, it is a great honor for us to receive the World’s Best Domestic Airport, the World’s Best Airport Cleanliness. As a hub airport with a dynamic domestic and international route network, Haneda Airport plays an important role in Japan.” Tampa International Airport introduced its TPA Ready program, highlighting the steps it takes to ensure the airport’s safety, with a heavy focus on maintaining the health of employees and travelers. At Hong Kong International Airport, frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and disinfected every hour. The airport also employs autonomous cleaning robots to ensure a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all public areas and passenger facilities. Taking a proactive stance with its cleaning and disinfection efforts through technology, Albany International Airport installed fresh-air filtration systems as well as intensive sanitization protocols. It also uses UV lighting to sanitize frequently touched surfaces and areas. The airport also offers the Wellness Trace app, allowing it to track COVID-19 screening in real time for passengers and employees. It sets protocols for tracking the cleaning of objects and ensures they are regularly sanitized. Passengers can also provide feedback on the cleanliness of their travels.
