Muscat becomes first Middle East airport to gain health accreditation

Muscat International Airport in Oman has become the first airport in the Middle East to be accredited under ACIs Airport Health Accreditation programme.

“We spared no initiative to ensure our passengers feel secure going through our airports,” said Oman Airports CEO, Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni.

“Planning and implementing the highest international standards of airport health and safety measures has been our top priority since the start of COVID-19 pandemic.

“We adapted a proactive approach and we placed passenger peace of mind as the focal value of our airports. We highly appreciate ACI’s recognition of Muscat International Airport and we look forward to always raising our quality bar even higher!”

ACI Asia-Pacific director general, Stefano Baronci, noted: “Now that the Sultanate of Oman has opened its borders for international travel, passengers can be certain that every reasonable measure has been taken to protect their health and wellbeing,”

ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme assists airports by assessing new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force recommendations.

Areas of assessment for accreditation include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.

More than 80 airports globally are now accredited under the ICAO-supported Airport Health Accreditation programme.

The fully-virtual application process is open to ACI member airports of all sizes globally across the regions.