The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is again designated as one of the healthiest airports in North America by the Airports Council International.
The industry association has recertified the Indy airport with its Airport Health Accreditation for the Indy airport’s compliance with health measures and procedures of cleaning and disinfecting, staff protection, physical layout to encourage distancing, passenger communication and facilities during the global pandemic.
The Indy airport was among the first airports in North America to receive the original accreditation in 2020 and has successfully recertified for another year.
“This recertification is directly the achievement of our airport staff who have been unrelenting over the past two years in keeping our airport clean and healthy as we’ve weathered through the pandemic,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “Their diligence and commitment have ensured travelers have the cleanest experience in our facilities as possible.”
The Indy airport adopted immediate and abundant cleaning protocols in March 2020, as the pandemic emerged. Those efforts have consistently included ground markings and signage to guide passengers in social distancing, providing additional hand sanitizing stations for customer convenience, distributing masks to guests, erecting Plexiglass shields in high-traffic areas, increasing cleaning frequency in high-congregation areas such as Civic Plaza, baggage claim and gate seating areas, deep cleaning public restrooms hourly using hospital-grade disinfectant, increasing cleaning and sanitization of shuttle buses including luggage storage areas and handrails, and implementing touchless payment procedures wherever possible.
The Indy airport, through local companies JFI Medical and GenePace Laboratories, also began offering COVID-19 testing in March 2021 and has continued adapting to provide travelers the latest testing options – including Rapid PCR testing.
The ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation was developed in response to COVID-19 and in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization Council Aviation Restart Task Force recommendations, and in alignment with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines, along with industry best practices. As part of the accreditation, IAA will complete an ongoing self-assessment and quality assurance to ensure a cycle of continuous improvement, as situations and requirements evolve.
“Ensuring the health and safety of the traveling public and airport workers is always an airport’s top priority,” said ACI-NA President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin M. Burke. “By renewing their ACI Airport Health Accreditation, the Indianapolis International Airport has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting passengers and airport workers and limiting the spread of COVID-19 and promoting a culture of health and safety across the airport. IND’s active participation in the Airport Health Accreditation program clearly demonstrates to passengers, staff, and their local community that they are prioritizing health and safety in a measurable way. We are proud to recognize IND’s Airport Health Accreditation.”
