Coronavirus: World's first 'five-star' Covid-safe airport named

Rome's Fiumicino Airport is the first in the world to receive a five-star Covid-19 safety rating, based on an audit by air travel rating agency Skytrax. Skytrax, which also runs the World Airline Awards and World Airport Awards, conducted an audit of the airport over three days in September. According to Skytrax, the audit involves testing of "cleaning procedures and consistency, front-line contact points relating to hygiene and cleanliness, social distancing policies and implementation, the standard and use of staff personal protective equipment, and scientific validation of cleanliness and disinfection processes for the end-to-end customer journey through the airport". The audit found Covid-19 hygiene policies at Rome Fiumicino Airport were well-enforced, citing the airport's 40-strong 'Bio-Safety Team' charged with ensuring social distancing and mask-wearing compliance. Skytrax also audited London's Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, giving it a three-star rating. While Heathrow was praised for its signage, mask usage and availability of hand sanitiser, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said they found "a lack of consistency across different areas, both for cleanliness and expected control of social distancing."<br/>