All three City of Phoenix airports recognised with GBAC STAR accreditation

Credit: City of Phoenix Aviation Department - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department has announced that it has been recognised in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation Program. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) and Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR) have all received the accreditation.

“Since the pandemic started, the world has come to realise the significance and importance of proper cleaning and disinfection to protect our health,” said Mayor of Phoenix, Kate Gallego. “To receive this distinction is a testament to our team’s commitment to making sure that our travellers, operators, airlines, concessionaires, tenants and business partners have the safest environment possible when interacting with us.”

The GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation Program is an outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities. It represents a high level of achievement within the cleaning industry, including 20 components that a facility must meet in order to achieve this accreditation.

Facilities must also demonstrate that they: Have stablished and maintained a cleaning and disinfecting programme to minimise risks of infectious diseases; have employed the proper protocols to clean and disinfect facilities; and have staff who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.

“Meeting the highest industry standards is a commitment that Phoenix’s airports consistently work to achieve,” said Vice Mayor, Thelda Williams, Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. “Earning the GBAC STAR™ accreditation is the gold standard in a performance-based programme, and it demonstrates our commitment to safety and preparedness as we build confidence with our passengers, customers and employees in our facilities and procedures.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Phoenix Deer Valley, and Phoenix Goodyear Airports have employed a number of initiatives to ensure a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for those travelling through the airports. This includes a robust cleaning programme, the installation of plexiglass and UV-C LED sanitising lights on escalator handrails and more.

“Receiving the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation at all three City of Phoenix airports is an outstanding achievement,” said District 8 Phoenix Council Member, Carlos Garcia, who represents the district where Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is located. “Travellers should feel assured that our facilities are clean and safe, with staff specifically trained to help to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“Phoenix Sky Harbor and the Deer Valley and Goodyear Airports continue to provide world-class safe, clean facilities and service to our customers,” said District 3 Phoenix City Councilwoman and member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee, Debra Stark. “I am very proud of the entire Aviation team for earning the GBAC STAR™ accreditation.”