ANA/VINCI Airports awarded by ACI in response to pandemic COVID-19
The airports of Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and Ponta Delgada were distinguished by ACI Europe, for “Best Airport” and “Best Hygiene Measures”. These awards, in which three other airports of the VINCI Airports network are also highlighted, recognises the Portuguese Airports for their continued commitment to the passenger experience and safety in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the demands of the current pandemic situation ACI has introduced a new award: the “Hygiene Award”, for the recognition of airports ability to ensure hygienic and safe facilities and the necessary measures to meet the new needs and expectations of passengers. In this new category, the airports of Porto, Faro, Madeira and Ponta Delgada stood out among the best in Europe.
The “Best Airport” award contemplated European airports. The distinction for Lisbon occurs in the 25 to 40 million passengers’ category. Porto and Faro won in the 5 to 15 million passengers’ category and Ponta Delgada in the airports with less than 2 million passengers.
In this category, ACI highlighted the visible priority established by ANA/VINCI Airports in updating health safety procedures and in the continuous concern in improving the passenger experience. All ANA/VINCI Airports have been implementing protection measures since the beginning of the pandemic crisis, in close collaboration with all Health authorities, adding measures, investing in innovative and contactless solutions and optimising procedures. The highlights include the global campaign “Protecting each other”, developed by VINCI Airports across its network.
ANA/VINCI Airports is committed in the worldwide effort to mitigate contagions, ensuring, as safely as possible, the continuity of the public service airports provide. Our agile and efficient response in the implementation of sanitary measures, as well as the focus on innovation both in cleaning and in the automation of processes for a seamless and contactless passenger flow, allowed us to keep Portuguese airports fully operational throughout the lockdown.
The ACI awards were attributed within the scope of the international ASQ programme, Airport Service Quality, which aims to measure passengers’ overall satisfaction with the services and products offered and to understand how their perspectives and expectations have changed. Implemented on a global scale, this initiative identifies best practices, promoting competitiveness in the industry.
According to Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Managing Director of ACI World, “the awards demonstrate the winning airports’ focus on delivering excellent experiences, highlighting them as exemplary.” He reinforces that even in the face of circumstances, the voice of passengers recognises the teams’ efforts and commitment to providing superior services.
Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, stressed the importance of this recognition: “In a year of uncertainty, our teams have shown commitment and resilience. We have been able to reinvent ourselves, adapt and innovate, ensuring that we are Protecting each other. These awards indicate we are on the right path for the aviation industry recovery, building the necessary confidence on the new passenger experience.”