Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific has announced that the first airport in the Middle East to be accredited under the ACI Airport Health Accreditation programme is Muscat International Airport, managed and operated by Oman Airports. More than 80 airports globally are now accredited under the ICAO-supported Airport Health Accreditation programme.

ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme assists airports by assessing new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force recommendations. Areas of assessment for accreditation include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.

"We are delighted to recognize Muscat International Airport as the first Middle East airport to achieve the Airport Health Accreditation," said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific. "Now that the Sultanate of Oman has opened its borders for international travel, passengers can be certain that every reasonable measure has been taken to protect their health and wellbeing."

"Planning and implementing the highest international standards of airport health and safety measures has been our top priority since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. We adapted a proactive approach and we placed passenger peace of mind as the focal value of our airports. We spared no initiative to ensure our passengers feel secure going through our airports," said Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports. "We highly appreciate ACI’s recognition of Muscat International Airport and we look forward to always raising our quality bar even higher!"