BA, Lufthansa become first airlines to get Covid safety rating

BA and Lufthansa have become the first two airlines in the world to be given a Covid-19 safety rating. Skytrax, which rates airlines and airports around the globe according to strict criteria, has now introduced a new branch, the Covid-19 Airline Safety Ratings, which analyses carriers’ policies when it comes to stopping the spread of coronavirus. Both airlines received a four-star rating (out of a potential five stars). They were assessed on the effectiveness and consistency of the hygiene and safety measures they’ve put in place and potential risk to passengers across the airport and cabin environment. BA’s rating was based on its operations at Heathrow Terminal Five, while Lufthansa was judged on flights from Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport. To attain four stars, an airline must achieve a high standard of cleanliness onboard its aircraft, using techniques such as UV sanitisation and mass disinfectant treatments. Onboard catering should be adapted too, with reduced contact delivery and enhanced food safety measures. In the airport areas manned by the airline, contactless technology and enforcement of social distancing during check-in, boarding and on arrival are rewarded by the ratings scheme. As part of its audit, Skytrax uses ATP testing – a process of rapidly measuring actively growing microorganisms – to measure contamination on high-touch surfaces in the airport and the aircraft cabin. The company has consulted the IATA Health Safety Standards Checklist, the ICAO CART Take-off guidance and recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to come up with its own checklist and safety ratings system.<br/>