Adani’s Ahmedabad, Mangaluru & Lucknow airports get ACI health accreditation

• This accreditation is a significant step in the pursuit of reinvigorating air traffic in the wake of COVID-19, said Behnad Zandi, CEO of Adani Airports

• The evaluation process by ACI under the AHA programme is conducted after reviewing evidences presented based on 118 checks points

Ahmedabad: Three airports operated by Adani Adani Enterprises – Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow — have been accredited in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation programme. "The global recognition demonstrates extraordinary proactive measures put in place by these airports to ensure passenger safety," said an official statement released by Adani Enterprises. The evaluation process by ACI under the AHA programme is conducted after reviewing evidences presented based on 118 checks points. The airports have demonstrated a safe travel experience for all travellers which is in line with the recommended health measures established in the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force Recommendations, along with industry best practices, the statement added.

ACI health accreditation will invigorate air traffic affected due to Covid-19: CEO

Commenting on the development, Behnad Zandi, CEO of Adani Airports, said, "This accreditation is a significant step in the pursuit of reinvigorating air traffic in the wake of COVID-19 and the ensuing vaccination drive. It instills trust in health and safety standards practiced at Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Mangaluru airports amidst the spread and control of the global pandemic. We remain committed to reinforcing our preparedness with global best practices and thus ensure a safe pre and post flight experience for flyers at the three locations."

ACI health accreditation valid for next 12 months

The ACI assessment covered the health and safety measures undertaken by the airports for passengers and staff in all the terminal areas, including departures, arrivals and transfers, transportation services, food and beverage services, escalators and elevators, lounges, facilities and baggage claim area, among others.

The accreditation is valid for the next 12 months. The programme is designed to help reassure the travelling public that airport facilities remain safe and that precautions are being taken to reduce health risks.

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"Congratulations to the Adani Group airports in Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru for securing the Airport Health Accreditation. With vaccine distribution underway, gaining the public's confidence in air travel will be crucial as our industry prepares to restart and sustain continuing operations. The Adani Group airports are paving the way by providing passengers and employees globally-recognised standards on health and hygiene," said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific.

The backdrop

Adani Airports, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, won the mandate to modernise and operate six airports — Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram — for a period of 50 years through a globally competitive tendering process conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Of these, it took over the operations of Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru in 2020. The company is also in the process of acquiring majority stakes in the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) with rights to develop the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Given its combined capacity, Adani Airport would touch more than 75 million passengers per annum (MPAs).

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