Charles M. Schulz — Sonoma County Airport Receives ACI Airport Health Accreditation

Charles M. Schulz — Sonoma County Airport (STS) recently received the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI). STS is one of the first 12 airports in the U.S. and one of just three in the Western United States to earn this recognition. ACI is the only global trade representative of the world’s airports. Established in 1991, ACI represents airports’ interests with governments and international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world. The ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) program provides airports with an assessment of how aligned their health measures are with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force recommendations along with industry best practices. 

In response to the initial COVID-19 outbreak, STS staff spent months implementing safety measures in the Airport’s buildings and business practices following local, state, and federal recommendations. These efforts were undertaken to prioritize health and safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that began shutting down non-essential travel in March of this year. STS terminal enhancements include the installation of hospital-grade HEPA air filters, partitions and floor and seat markers for social distancing, touchless faucets to reduce touch points, and hand sanitizer stations throughout. Plastic barriers were installed everywhere passengers come into contact with staff and in potentially congested areas such as the security screening check point. And of course there are lots of signs and announcements to remind travelers of safety steps they can take to keep everyone safer such as regular hand washing, social distancing, and wearing a mask. Cleaning protocols have been enhanced to include regular sanitization of high touch surfaces following CDC guidelines. All passengers and staff are required to wear a facial covering and staff are screened daily for any signs of exposure. ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation process included completion of a survey with over 100 questions which required the submission of photographs and policies and procedures in categories such as cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing, staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications, and passenger facilities. STS is proud to be recognized for its efforts in maintaining safe hygienic facilities to help reassure travelers that health and safety are a priority. When essential travel includes Sonoma County and the surrounding area, STS is ready.