Hamad International Airport (HIA) announced today that it has become the world’s first entity to achieve independent verification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) for implementing COVID-19 ICAO Aviation Health Safety Protocols.

The verification came after successful audits for Compliance to International Civil Aviation Organization Civil Aviation Recovery Taskforce ICAO CART, HIA said in a statement.

HIA collected the verification certificate at an official handover ceremony.

The event saw the participation of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, Jon Wilks, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey, President of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, HIA’s Chief Operation Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Mr. Jamal Dalli, Business Development Manager at BSI, as well as other BSI officials and executives from MATAR Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation.

The prestigious accomplishment reflects the airport’s consistent efforts to ensure the safety of all.

With these efforts, HIA was able to successfully restore passenger confidence and boost air travel amid these challenging times.

“This Verification of Compliance is a testament to the airport’s commitment to maintaining business efficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic while implementing unprecedented measures to protect its staff and passengers in compliance with guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Civil Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART),” the HIA statement reads.

@HIAQatar has successfully complied with implementation of the @icao CART recommendations and Annex-9 standards https://t.co/N7wmsRi6RF

— Qatar Mission ICAO (@qatar_icao) October 6, 2020

A compliance verification audit carried out by BSI showed that Qatar’s airport demonstrated industry best practices while implementing innovative measures for transferring, departing, and arriving passengers.

President of the Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla bin Nasser Turki Al-Subaey, said, “We are pleased to witness this unprecedented development in Qatar’s aviation history. This achievement is a testament to Qatar's keenness and commitment to ICAO’s principles and objectives that help achieve the safety, security, and efficiency of the world's civil aviation system.

“Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority continuously works on improving and developing the country’s aviation regulations to ensure that the latest health, safety, and security standards are implemented.

“This achievement confirms the key role played by the authority to ensure compliance with international standards as well as the leading role of Hamad International Airport, one of the best airports in the world."

HIA’s Chief Operation Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said, “We always strive to provide consistently high-quality services for all our stakeholders. The verification reflects our capability in maintaining HIA’s position as a leading airport in the world, in these unprecedented times. As the world is adjusting to the new normal, the international recognition we get from BSI is important to ensure HIA’s operational capabilities at all times.”

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport has been implementing a series of safety measures to limit the spread of the infection.

With the use of cutting-edge technology, such as disinfectant robots and thermal imaging helmets, HIA strived to optimize the safety of its staff and passengers.

Recently, HIA installed vending machines containing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across key passenger touchpoints throughout the terminal.

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Source: HIA