Phoenix Sky Harbor has achieved GBAC STAR™ facility re-accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA - The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, to prevent and respond to outbreaks. Learn more about our efforts to enhance cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention protocols.
Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of a few airports in the nation to achieve both accreditations.
The health and safety of our passengers and employees continue to be a high priority for our organization, and this accreditation proves the high level of commitment and work we continue to put forth. One example is the UV-C LED light sterilizers added to pre-security escalators in Terminals 3 and 4. Operating 24 hours a day, the new handrail sterilizer is known to kill up to 99.9 percent of disease-causing microorganisms using a germ-destroying light. The light is mounted underneath the escalator handrails out of passenger view and provides an excellent sanitizing solution for the high-touch handrails.
Because health and sanitation are top-of-mind, we have also made some modifications to our heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. We have increased outside air circulation by 60-100% which helps to further sanitize our air by replacing the air inside the building with fresh, filtered outside air. Our filtration system is a two-stage process with two filters used, and we have increased monitoring and condition assessment of more than 34,000 filters in more than 400 air handlers through our building automation system.
Health and Safety
We will continue to maintain a thorough 24-hour cleaning schedule. The number of times per day high-touch areas are sanitized was increased at the onset of the COVID-19 global health pandemic, and these vigilant sanitation efforts will remain in place.
We are in constant contact with county, state, and federal health officials and follow their health and safety directions as needed.
Your health and safety is at the forefront of our operations:
- We have installed appropriate physical distance markers in our facilities and will be adding more in queue lines.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers are available for our customers and employees.
- We have installed plexiglass at our Information Counters to create a seamless but effective barrier between staff and customers.
- We are encouraging physical distancing with overhead announcements, messaging on our flight information displays, and additional signage.
- We are asking passengers to limit the number of people on our Rental Car Center buses and in the PHX Sky Train® cars and to stand back from the doors to allow others to exit.
- Our shops have new protocols in place. For many, this includes additional signage, barriers, and queueing markers, increased sanitation, limiting the number of people in stores, and encouraging touchless transactions.
- Restaurants that have fully re-opened have re-configured seating for physical distancing. Many remain open for take-out only at this time.
- Safety signage/messaging is being placed at entryways, PHX Sky Train®, buses, and on our website.
As an expert in airport health and safety protocols, I can attest to the comprehensive measures taken by Phoenix Sky Harbor to prevent and respond to outbreaks, as evidenced by their recent re-accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC). GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation is a testament to the airport's commitment to implementing rigorous cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention protocols.
One noteworthy initiative is the deployment of UV-C LED light sterilizers on pre-security escalators in Terminals 3 and 4. This innovative technology operates 24 hours a day and is known to eliminate up to 99.9 percent of disease-causing microorganisms using germ-destroying light. Placed underneath the escalator handrails, the UV-C LED light sterilizers provide an effective sanitization solution for these high-touch surfaces while remaining inconspicuous to passengers.
Furthermore, Phoenix Sky Harbor has made significant enhancements to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The increase in outside air circulation by 60-100% contributes to the sanitation of indoor air by replacing it with fresh, filtered outside air. The HVAC filtration system, featuring a two-stage process with two filters, undergoes rigorous monitoring and condition assessment through a building automation system encompassing more than 34,000 filters in over 400 air handlers.
The commitment to health and safety extends to a comprehensive 24-hour cleaning schedule, with heightened sanitation efforts for high-touch areas. The airport maintains constant communication with county, state, and federal health officials, adhering to their directives to ensure the well-being of passengers and employees.
In addition to these measures, the airport has implemented physical distancing markers, hand sanitizer dispensers, plexiglass barriers at information counters, and other safety measures. Overhead announcements, flight information displays, and signage reinforce the importance of physical distancing. Protocols are in place for rental car center buses, the PHX Sky Train®, shops, and restaurants, with an emphasis on touchless transactions and increased sanitation practices.
The comprehensive approach adopted by Phoenix Sky Harbor demonstrates a high level of commitment to passenger and employee health and safety, making it one of the few airports in the nation to achieve dual accreditations in this regard.
