Qatar Airways achieves 5-star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating
Described as the industry’s most prestigious safety benchmark, following a rigorous audit of Qatar Airways’ COVID-19 hygiene and safety protocols, it’s become the first global airline to achieve the rating by Skytrax
Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax, international air transport rating organization.
The announcement follows a detailed audit, carried out by the Skytrax team in December 2020, which assessed how effectively and consistently the airline’s stringent COVID-19 health and safety standards and procedures are adhered to, from flight check-in to on-board aircraft. This consisted of a full review of procedural efficiency checks, visual observation of hygiene and safety levels at all stages of the passenger journey and on-board Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) sampling tests to measure the potential level of contamination of contact surfaces.
The achievement of the Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating is in addition to Qatar Airways’ home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), recently being named the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating in December 2020.
The achievement is in addition to Qatar Airways’ home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), being named the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating
“As an industry leader and the ‘World’s Best Airline’, as named by Skytrax, we are well-used to setting the standard for others to follow. We are delighted that our commitment to providing the most rigorous and comprehensive COVID-19 safety program in existence within the global aviation community has been recognized with the Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating.
This achievement highlights the fastidious measures and procedures Qatar Airways has employed to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our passengers throughout the global pandemic to date, and follows HIA’s recent success as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.
It also provides assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. As Qatar Airways continues to deal with the ongoing impact and challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, we would like to reinforce the message that air travel does not need to be a source of concern for passengers.
In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to provide the safest possible experience for travelers across the world and expanding our role in assisting the recovery of the commercial aviation industry over the coming months,” says His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group.
“We congratulate Qatar Airways on being awarded with the highest 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Rating and being the world’s first major airline to be certified at this level. Qatar Airways kept flying throughout COVID-19, taking over 3.1 million people home since the start of the pandemic, and it is this experience that enables them to deliver an excellent standard of health and hygiene safety measures to keep customers and staff safe,” adds Mr. Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive Officer, Skytrax.
Qatar Airways’ on-board safety measures include the provision of PPE, operation of the most advanced HEPA air filtration system and option to use a “Do Not Disturb” indicator
Qatar Airways’ on-board safety measures include the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew and a complimentary protective kit for passengers. Business Class passengers on aircraft equipped with Qsuite can enjoy the enhanced privacy this award-winning business seat provides including sliding privacy partitions and the option to use a “Do Not Disturb (DND)” indicator. Qsuite is available on flights to more than 45 destinations including Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, London and New York.
Additionally, the airline uses the most advanced HEPA air filtration systems on board all aircrafts and recently became the first global carrier to introduce Honeywell’s state-of-the-art Ultraviolet Cabin System, operated by Qatar Aviation Services, as a further step in the cleaning of its aircrafts.
Qatar Airways currently operates more than 800 weekly flights to over 110 destinations across the globe. By the end of March, Qatar Airways plans to rebuild its network to 130 destinations. With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for them to change their travel dates or destination if need be.
