Noi Bai Airport earns global recognition in COVID-19 prevention

Noi Bai International Airport receives a certificate for ensuring safety regulations on COVID-19 prevention in airports (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi has been among international airports serving more than 15 million passengers that saw fastest growth in recent years.

The airport was officially honoured with the Airport Health Acreditation (AHA) for ensuring safety procedures against the pandemic in airports by the Airports Council International (ACI) on November 27.

The AHA programme of the ACI was set up to help airports across the globe demonstrate to passengers, staff members, management authorities and governments that passenger’s health and safety are among their utmost priorities, via the implementation of proper safety measures in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

To earn the recognition, Noi Bai airport had to undergo a strict assessment process for safety measures applied at the airport.

In a letter addressed to the certified airport, ACI General Director Luis Felipe de Oliveira said Noi Bai provides safe airport experience for all passengers in line with ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines, and recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation - ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART).

The Accreditation is based on guidance from the ICAO CART Take-Off document and ACI Recovery and Restart Best Practices. Topics include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Antoine Rostworowski, ACI Senior Vice President, Programmes and Commercial Services, noted that Noi Bai International Airport has been among international airports serving more than 15 million passengers that enjoyed fastest growth in recent years.

He revealed that other airports of Vietnam are also being considered for the accreditation. They include Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and another international airport in the central city of Da Nang.

Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) of Vietnam Dinh Viet Thang said that the recognition is not only from the ACI but also the global community for the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and the country’s State management agencies at large, for carrying out effective measures in COVID-19 prevention and control.

On behalf of the CAAV, he expressed his gratitude to the support of ministries, sectors, Hanoi authorities, and State management agencies at Noi Bai for creating best possible conditions for the airport to fulfil ACI’s criteria.

The authority will support the ACV to actively take part in activities and programmes within the framework of the ACI, especially those related to safe operations of airport and aviation, Thang affirmed.

ACV Deputy General Director Nguyen Quoc Phuong said the network of AHA-accredited airports will serve as a foundation for State management agencies and governments worldwide to resume international air routes between airports and create a safe travel corridor, thereby offsetting losses triggered by COVID-19 to the global aviation sector.

The ACI is the only global trade representative of the world’s airports. Established in 1991, it represents airports interests with governments and international organisations such as ICAO, develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.

Since COVID-19 broke out in Vietnam and the world, Noi Bai International Airport has rolled out a number of preventive measures, such as regular cleaning and disinfection, and installation of thermal imaging camera to detect passenger’s temperature and automatic self-check-in system. The airport also worked to minimise direct contact on aircraft and set up transparent shields at check-in counters and boarding platforms at terminals.

The airport requires all passengers and staff to wear face masks. Staff working at the front line are provided with personal protective equipment, while hand sanitiser stations have been set up in every corner./.