Newcastle Airport achieves two COVID secure accreditations
Throughout the pandemic Newcastle International Airport has prioritised the safety of passengers and staff, working hard to ensure the airport terminal is a safe environment for all. As international leisure travel resumes the Airport has been awarded two accreditations in recognition of the measures implemented.
The North East’s largest Airport is one of a small number of UK Airports to have been awarded an accreditation for meeting the international guidance on COVID safety measures set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The independent accreditation, led in partnership with public health experts, is designed to increase consumer confidence in the COVID-security of air travel and encourage international standardisation.
The assessors, which included representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority, a medical professional and a Public Health expert looked at the Airport’s compliance with general hygiene guidance, cleaning, masks and face coverings, health screening as well as the mental health and well-being of employees and passengers.
Alongside the ICAO accreditation, the Airport was also awarded COVID Compliant Assurance Scheme accreditation by Newcastle City Council. The scheme ensures businesses have all the reasonable measures in place and controls to safeguard visitors and staff from COVID-19.
Ben Alcott, International Director at the Civil Aviation Authority said: “UK airlines and airports have already put in place significant measures to protect passengers during the pandemic. This new assurance scheme recognises the efforts of the industry, as well as playing a critical role in developing an international approach to COVID-security in aviation. It should also give consumers greater confidence that the right steps have been taken to make their flights and holidays COVID safe.”
Nick Jones, CEO of Newcastle International Airport said: “The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority and we have worked extremely hard to implement a Ten Point plan of COVID-19 safety measures across the terminal.
“We are delighted that our hard work has been recognised with accreditations from both industry and local organisations. With the reopening of international leisure travel we have up to 16 flights a week operating to Portugal and we are very much looking forward to welcoming more passengers back to the terminal.”
The Airport’s Ten Point Plan of safety measures includes over 100 hand sanitiser stations throughout the passenger journey, enhanced cleaning and mandatory face mask wearing for staff and passengers.
More information on the Airport’s Ten Point Plan can be found at newcastleairport.com/10pointplan.
Newcastle Airport currently has flights operating to Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, London Heathrow, Newquay, Paris and Southampton.
Following the announcement of the Green List, flights to Portugal will start on Thursday 27th May with TUI, followed by British Airways on the 29th May, Ryanair from the 4th June, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays from the 24th June and easyJet from the 19th July.
Flights will be operating to Alicante, Malaga and Majorca with Ryanair from early June.
The full list of destinations on sale from the Airport can be found at newcastleairport.com/discover.