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RIC, PHF Earn Disinfection Accreditation

Two Virginia commercial service airports have earned accreditation for their efforts to ensure the health and safety of passengers and staff.

Richmond International Airport received the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) STAR accreditation for “implementing the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facilities.”

Newport News-Williamsburg Airport has earned the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) for aligning its health measures with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and industry best practices.

“The GBAC STAR™ Facility accreditation program provides third-party validation of our Building Services team’s cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention protocols and procedures,” said Perry J. Miller, A.A.E., I.A.P., president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission. “While we are happy to be a leader among Virginia facilities, becoming the first and only airport in the Commonwealth to earn such accreditation was not our aim. Our single motivation for achieving this certification was to do all we could to ensure passenger safety.  We want people to know that it is safe to fly out of RIC.”

As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program verifies that the airport implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.

The AHA accreditation enables Newport News-Williamsburg Airport to demonstrate to passengers, staff, regulators, and governments that it is prioritizing health and safety in a measurable, established manner.  AHA enables the airport validate its own measures throughout its facilities and processes; reassures the travelling public using the airport’s facilities; promotes the recognition of professional excellence in maintaining safe hygienic facilities; promotes best practices and aligns efforts across the industry, and ensures harmonization between ICAO global guidance and industry implementation.

Virginia Department of Aviation Director Mark Flynn said, “These airports are leading the way as the world looks to end the global pandemic.  By earning these accreditations, Richmond International and Newport News-Williamsburg airports are delivering on their promises to offer the safest and healthiest environments possible for airline passengers and airport employees.”