June Newsletter: Istanbul Airport sets standards in COVID-19 safety
We are ready… We have taken every measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in all areas from airport access to boarding gates for a healthy and safe travel experience at Istanbul Airport. Now we reunite in healthy days.
The corona-pandemic has confronted the aviation industry with an unprecedented scenario. Almost all air travel in most regions of the world has been grounded and as many airports worldwide, Istanbul Airport has suspended its services apart from repatriation and cargo flights. Restarting aviation whilst observing strict measures to curb the spread of the virus is now the number one priority of all stakeholders. Domestic flights at Istanbul Airport resume at ever-increasing frequency from 1 June. Also, Turkey plans a gradual resumption of international flights to 40 countries from 10 June.
An airport with social distance…
The safety of our passengers has always been the primary concern of Istanbul Airport. That is why we are going further than anyone in the fight against coronavirus. Istanbul Airport’s spacious terminal allows us to implement strict social distancing measures, whilst retaining comfort for passengers. Thus, by virtue of this advantage, we call our terminal the terminal with “highest social distance”. Only passengers with a valid ticket are allowed into the airport, to reduce the number of people inside the terminal. From the public transport to the airport through entrances, check-in, elevators, security, foodcourts, duty-free areas and boarding gates, the necessary distance between passengers are ensured at all times. Thermal screening cameras are used to monitor body temperatures and thus identify cases of fever.
Hygiene Team is ready to take off…
Istanbul Airport has marked all areas according to social distancing guidelines. A dedicated iGA Hygiene Team formed for COVID-19 makes conformity controls. Thus, passengers are reminded, not to sit too close to each other and keep distance in queues, aided by demarcation on seats, walkways and around the gates. Also, the new high-tech smart screening helmet has thermo-scan sensors which provide information about the temperature of passengers and staff in the terminal. The Hygiene Team wear smart screening helmets to scan people as they enter the airport or wait in line. Istanbul Airport personnel ensures the observation of these guidelines. “Social distancing” footprint stickers are applied to the floors of all areas, which people may come across from the moment they arrive at the airport until they leave the airport at their point of destination.
On top of that, Istanbul Airport requires all passengers to wear masks all the time. Passengers who do not wear masks couldn’t be able to enter the terminal. Carry-on luggage will not be allowed (only limited with laptops, handbags, briefcases, and baby items) onboard the aircraft. To lower the risk of droplet infection, Istanbul Airport uses its ventilation system to increase the circulation of fresh air, filters being disinfected regularly. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout the airport at more than 500 locations with additional vending machines for hygienic products. Toilets have been equipped with a signalling system showing the occupancy rate, to avoid crowding.
Upon entering the terminal, special sanitization mats disinfect passengers’ shoes and luggage disinfected before entering the airport as well. Common areas like toilets, escalators, seating areas and food courts, as well as shared items such as baggage carts and self-check-ins and information screens are disinfected regularly. Passenger bridges are disinfected after each flight. All goods that enter Istanbul Airport will be disinfected upon arrival.
Technology and innovation will be the key…
Ultraviolet-based tunnels to disinfect airport security trays and baggage would kill viruses on the surface of baggage. They will be installed in the terminal with the approval of Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health.
Istanbul Airport staff to wear masks throughout their shifts and ensure they only get in contact with passengers when procedures make it absolutely necessary for instance in security, where patting down searches will be reduced to the absolute minimum. Special teams regularly disinfect surfaces and appliances, as well as baggage carts.
Istanbul Airport places great emphasis on occupational health, too. Personnel have received social distancing and hygiene training online and are provided necessary protective equipment relative to their position’s risk level. Transportation of employees has been rearranged to meet social distancing guidelines. Furthermore, psychological support programmes have been launched for Istanbul Airport personnel.
Precautionary measures have been implemented throughout the airport…
Passengers will have to fill out passenger information forms and provide their destination address to the airlines to trace possible infection cases and notify anyone they might have come into contact with. Incoming flights from regions with higher case numbers will be routed to designated areas. All incoming international passengers will be submitted to a PCR test before being allowed to enter Turkey. Currently, the testing capacity is approximately 20,000 tests per day. Istanbul Airport has equipped designated testing areas to adhere to social-distancing regulations whilst retaining maximum passenger-comfort. Quarantine rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art medical appliances, will be available in case of emergencies. Istanbul Airport will continuously inform the public about safety measures taken at the airport on all channels, ranging from PA-systems in the airport to social media and the iGA App.
During these pandemic days, disposable personal protective equipment used by both passengers and personnel are collected separately at the entire airport. These wastes are kept in waste rooms for 72 hours and then transported to the facilities of the municipality. Waste bins in which these wastes are disposed of are disinfected each time. Personnel in charge for the management of these wastes are wearing protective equipment at the highest level possible.
Istanbul Airport is certain that aviation can coexist with measures against the spread of the coronavirus and will do everything possible to ensure both seamless operation and maintain the health and safety of our customers and staff.
Istanbul Airport terminal becomes world’s largest “LEED Gold” certified building
Istanbul Airport, which has already proven itself as a global hub in its first year of operation on account of its unique architecture, strong infrastructure, superior technologies, and the outstanding travel experience offered to its passengers, has made yet another achievement by qualifying for the “LEED Gold” certificate. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has officially registered Istanbul Airport’s terminal building as the largest LEED certified building worldwide.
Contact Us:
Sent by İGA Corporate Communications Team
In association with anna.aero Aviation Development PR
E-mail: customercare@igairport.aero
İGA – İstanbul Airport
İstanbul Havalimanı Terminal Cad. No:1
34283 Arnavutköy,
İstanbul / Turkey
2020
For more information please visit: https://www.igairport.com/en/press-center/press-room