In the inaugural ‘APEX Health Safety, powered by SimpliFlying’ audit, Etihad Airways, the UAE national airline, was awarded Diamond status for its efforts to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation
The award aims to help re-build confidence in air travel by creating a global standard for health and safety measures. The judges have taken into account the implementation of measures to prevent COVID-19 throughout the customer journey.
Terry Daly, executive director guest experience, brand and marketing, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “2020 brought tremendous challenges to the aviation industry, and the Diamond status is testament to the strength of Etihad’s health and safety credentials and response to the pandemic. Etihad has demonstrated its resilience and designed industry-leading measures to combat COVID-19, including the Etihad Wellness programme. As part of its efforts, Etihad is the only airline in the world to make COVID-19 testing mandatory before every flight, and since August 2020, 100% of our guests have tested negative before they fly.”
“In the face of COVID-19 adversity, Etihad has soared to new heights in passenger service as a 2021 APEX Five Star Airline, and in customer wellbeing as a Diamond certified airline with hospital-grade health safety,” APEX CEO Dr Joe Leader stated. “In my last visit to Etihad in Abu Dhabi, I watched the airline’s philosophy of never settling for less than the best for their guests. The airline’s implementation of COVID-19 health standards has built on that best practice of always doing more, caring more, and serving with more heart than ever.”
Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, said, “Etihad Airways has raised the bar for health safety standards in the industry by initiatives such as Wellness Ambassadors, free PCR COVID-19 tests and using AI to identify high-risk passengers at its hub in Abu Dhabi. Taking such hospital-grade measures in ensuring health safety goes a long way in bolstering trust among travellers.”
“To be awarded the Diamond status is recognition that Etihad is one of the safest airlines in the world. The benchmarking of airlines based on health and safety is a welcome response to the global pandemic from APEX and SimpliFlying. This will provide passengers with valuable data and safety ratings and will allow them to travel with peace of mind when they choose a Diamond rated airline such as Etihad,” Daly added.
The results recognise Etihad’s role in leading the aviation industry’s response to the global Coronavirus pandemic. Etihad introduced the Etihad Wellness programme, which ensures that the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey.
The programme is being championed by specially trained Wellness Ambassadors, the first to provide essential travel health information and online care via web-based, Abu Dhabi International Airport and on-the-flight. Etihad also provides complimentary COVID-19 wellness insurance to all guests, with no exceptions, as further evidence of its commitment to passenger safety and wellbeing.
