The Airports Council International (ACI) has renewed Teterboro airport's accreditation in ACI's Airport Health Accreditation programme. The accreditation is based on an evaluation of the health and safety measures and procedures introduced at airports worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teterboro's certification included an assessment of the standards implemented by the airport authority and the various business operations based at the airport, including Meridian. Teterboro was the first general aviation airport in the world to achieve this accreditation.

“To maintain its accreditation, the airport had to demonstrate that it is following the plan that was submitted last year,” says Meridian safety and training coordinator Victor Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was the primary point of contact with the airport authorities, and was responsible for ensuring compliance and providing documentation during the audit to help maintain the accreditation for Meridian. In addition to his safety responsibilities, he also serves as the company's line service manager.

“The results of ACI's evaluation process showed that 'TEB demonstrated an admirable continuation of its efforts to provide a safe airport experience for all travellers in line with the recommended health measures established in the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force Recommendations along with industry best practices,'” Rodriguez adds. “As an FBO on the field, we are proud of Teterboro's continued commitment to prioritising health and safety measures.”

“The initial accreditation was undertaken last year by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the airports under its control, which includes Teterboro,” says Meridian president Steve Chandoha. “As a general aviation airport, to achieve and then renew this certification, Teterboro needed the participation of all five FBOs at the airport. Each FBO submitted its information, which was then consolidated into the airport application. As the airport activity continues to increase, this continued accreditation should give travellers, as well as those that use or work at the airport and the various businesses on the field, added peace of mind.”

As an individual FBO, Meridian is also accredited as a GBAC STAR facility. This accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) is given to those facilities that have established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme to minimise risks associated with infectious agents such as COVID-19.

Both Meridian FBOs, at Teterboro and Hayward Executive airports in California, are also Safety 1st Clean certified facilities by NATA, that recognises the company's commitment to following best practices and guidelines from both the NATA and the Centers for Disease Control around cleaning, disinfecting and hygiene, as well as ongoing education and training. Conformance to this standard also requires a hazard communication plan, which Meridian has as part of its IS-BAH accreditation.

“We are committed to best practices in everything we do, and our commitment to the highest level of compliance around cleaning and disinfecting is no different,” adds Chandoha. “We believe demonstrating our conformance and commitment to the high health and safety standards required to earn these accreditations lets customers know they can expect the best and safest protocols when they come to Meridian and Teterboro airport.”