Sharjah International Airport obtains health accreditation certificate

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sharjah International Airport has succeeded in obtaining the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) certificate, issued by the Airports Council International (ACI), for the second year in a row.

It is the first airport in the UAE and the seventh in the Middle East to achieve this. Sharjah Airport first obtained the certificate in December 2020.

Having met the ACI’s requirements and having fulfilled the recommendations of the Aviation Sector Revitalisation Team (CART) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport was again awarded the certificate for 2021.

This came after reviewing the evidence submitted and evaluating the airport’s health measures and the application thereof to operations.

As part of the process, Sharjah Airport’s health and safety measures across all its facilities, including the lounge access areas, passport and check-in areas, security checks, stairs, elevators, boarding gates, and parking areas, were evaluated. Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority said, “We are pleased to receive this prestigious international accreditation for the second year in a row. It is in line with our efforts to achieve the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to enhance the emirate’s position as a destination which values the health of its residents and visitors, and which provides a safe experience and pioneering services to travelers in line with the recommendations of the Airports Council International.”

Ali Salim Al Midfa added, “Sharjah Airport is keen to implement health procedures and measures of the highest standard to maintain public health and safety. In addition, it makes a continuous effort, in cooperation with strategic partners, to maintain the safety of travelers, customers, and employees, especially during the unprecedented circumstances related to COVID-19.”

Sharjah Airport Authority continues to strengthen its preventative measures, from the comprehensive sterilisation of all airport buildings, lounges, facilities, devices, luggage trolleys, gates, planes, and corridors leading to them and passenger buses, to the provision of easily accessible sanitising materials to all airport users and workers.

The AHA programme focuses on the airport’s commitment to the health and well-being of travelers, customers and employees, and the quality of airport health procedures in relation to COVID-19, as well as on evaluating the health measures and procedures adopted by the airport in the wake of the pandemic, such as strict cleaning and sanitising practices, and the promotion of social distancing.