OMAN/LATVIA. Primeclass has become the world’s first independent lounge operator to achieve a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Lounge Safety Rating at its Muscat International and Riga International locations.
To achieve their status, both lounges have undergone Skytrax’s COVID-19 Lounge Audit, which evaluates over 150 lounge safety protocols across both facilities and staff service.
The COVID-19 lounge safety analysis undertaken included ATP testing to validate the standard of cleaning systems, to ensure high contact surfaces are sanitised with enough frequency, and that disinfectant products and cleaning techniques are effective.
The lounges – which are owned and operated by TAV Airports and Groupe ADP – also had to provide clear and visible advice to guests regarding face mask use, personal health monitoring, hand hygiene facilities, and social distancing and movement etiquette.
TAV Operation Services CEO Güçlü Batkin said: “We are thrilled that Primeclass lounges in Muscat and Riga are winning the world’s first 5-Star COVID-19 Safety Certification awarded by Skytrax. In the face of the pandemic, travellers’ expectation for a safe and seamless journey is now being reassured with a new set of health and safety practices.”
He added: “We ensure that our customers will be taken care of during their lounge stay with increased hygiene precautions in all touchpoints and excellent standards with the food and beverage served. We are committed to ensure the similar level of health and wellbeing standards with enhanced facilities in all our lounges around the world.”
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said: “Primeclass has widely implemented their New Comfort hygiene concept in these Muscat and Riga lounges, with the core safety values of social distancing organisation, increased cleaning and hygiene of lounge areas, adapted food and beverage services, and adding contactless service options at key touchpoints.
“The extensive features they have introduced are a key factor in Primeclass achieving the highest COVID-19 5-Star Rating, but it is also the consistency with which these protocols have been applied that is so important in demonstrating the safety commitment to customers.”
The Primeclass lounge at Muscat International – which also holds 5-Star status for Skytrax’s standard Airline Lounge Ratings – has a broad range of facilities including a bar and buffet, complimentary spa, hotel standard bedrooms, children’s play facilities, computer games, a cinema area, and pool tables, darts and table football.
Meanwhile, the Primeclass lounge at Riga International has facilities which include comfortable seating with panoramic views of the airfield, a children’s play area, baby care room and a food & beverage offer catering for local and international tastes. There are also washrooms and showers, private bedrooms and business and meeting facilities.
The Primeclass airport lounge portfolio now exceeds 60 locations across 19 countries, serving more than 10 million passengers annually.
