Airports' Cleanliness Amidst The Pandemic: A Current Affair

Airports are busy, crowded places that require constant cleaning to maintain hygiene and a pleasant travel experience for passengers. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the importance of airport cleanliness, with customers now expecting the highest standards. Airports are vast facilities, and cleaning crews face the challenge of working around large volumes of people and ever-changing schedules. This article will explore the current state of airport cleanliness, the challenges faced by cleaning crews, and the measures being implemented to enhance hygiene and sanitation in airports.

Cleaning staff and contractors

Airports are vast facilities, with single terminals spanning 300,000 square feet. Traditionally, airports hire cleaning contractors rather than maintain an in-house cleaning staff. The airport facility manager is responsible for hiring the right cleaning contractor for the job.

Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, recommends a three-step bidding process to ensure only the most qualified vendors are considered for the job. He also recommends asking specific questions about the vendor's experience and training programs. For example, it is valuable to have a site manager with airport experience.

Autonomous floor cleaners are increasingly being used to clean and disinfect terminal floors, freeing up staff to focus on other areas.

To keep an airport clean, cleaning crews must work around large volumes of people and ever-changing schedules. All airport restroom surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day. This includes the toilet and sink areas, walls, doors, door handles and locks, faucets, and paper towel and toilet paper dispensers. Floors should be vacuumed, swept, and mopped using a disinfecting spray or solution.

To avoid the spread of germs and to maintain a healthy restroom environment, all surfaces should be wiped down often and thoroughly. It is also important to keep the restroom well-stocked with toilet paper and paper towels and to provide plenty of trash cans in convenient locations to minimize debris.

Outside of the restrooms, handrails, handles, telephones, elevators, landings, and all hand contact areas in passenger corridors should be frequently cleaned and sanitized. Common-use tools and materials should be cleaned with detergent and sanitized after each use.

Cleaning products and methods

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the expected level, means, and methods of cleanliness at airports. While robots were used to clean airports before the pandemic, their use has become more widespread, and they are now a key strategy to keep passengers healthy and safe.

Autonomous floor cleaners are one example of a robotic cleaning solution, and they are used to clean and disinfect floor surfaces in many airports. These robots can cover large areas of terminal buildings and free up staff time, allowing them to focus on other areas.

UV-C light robots have also been used to sanitise high-traffic areas in airports, a technology that was first used in hospitals to sanitise operating rooms. UV-C light has been proven to eliminate the spread of COVID-19, and it is now being used in airports to mitigate virus spread.

In addition to robotic cleaning, traditional cleaning methods are still being used. For example, surfaces are wiped and sprayed with virus-killing chemicals and treated with "antimicrobial coats" and ultraviolet light. The specific products and methods used depend on the requirements and needs of each airport, and the expertise of the cleaning contractor hired.

Most airports strive to embrace green cleaning methods, not only because they are better for occupant health but also because they are large consumers of cleaning products and have a responsibility to reduce environmental impacts. As a result, airports may request that vendors have specific green cleaning certifications, such as Green Seal 42 or ISSA’s CIMS certification.

Cleaning public restrooms

Public restrooms in airports are high-traffic areas that require constant attention to maintain cleanliness and provide a pleasant travel experience for users. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for cleaning public restrooms in airports:

Cleaning Protocols:

• All restroom surfaces, including toilet and sink areas, walls, doors, and fixtures, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly and thoroughly throughout the day.
• Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping tile floors are essential to removing dirt and grime. Use disinfecting sprays or solutions to ensure thorough cleaning and set out "Wet Floor" signs as needed.
• Door handles, locks, faucets, and paper product dispensers should be part of a consistent cleaning rotation.
• Mirrors and chrome surfaces should be wiped down often to maintain a clean appearance.
• Sinks can be wiped with disinfectant spray and dried with disposable towels throughout the day.
• Keep toilet paper and paper towel dispensers fully stocked.
• Provide plenty of trash receptacles in convenient locations to minimize debris on the floors and counters.

Hiring Cleaning Services:

Airports typically hire external cleaning contractors rather than maintaining an in-house cleaning staff. When selecting a cleaning contractor, airport facility managers should follow a careful bidding process to ensure they choose a qualified vendor. It is recommended to seek vendors with airport experience and a strong site manager. Green cleaning certifications, such as Green Seal 42 or ISSA's CIMS, are also desirable.

Customer Experience and Satisfaction:

Maintaining clean and well-maintained restrooms is crucial for customer satisfaction and repeat business. A recent survey found that nearly 70% of Americans have had unpleasant experiences in public restrooms due to poor conditions, including clogged toilets, dirty appearances, and unpleasant smells. Additionally, 60% of respondents believe that an unclean restroom reflects poor management, and half of the respondents vow not to return to a business with unclean restrooms.

Post-COVID Sensitivities:

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public sensitivity to germs and touch-based contact in public restrooms. Many people now use paper towels as barriers when touching flushers, faucets, and doors, and some even use their feet to flush toilets. As a result, touchless fixtures, such as touch-free faucets, flushers, and soap dispensers, are highly preferred, with 70% of people more likely to return to businesses that offer such amenities.

In summary, keeping public restrooms in airports clean requires dedicated attention, professional cleaning services, and a focus on customer satisfaction. By implementing thorough cleaning protocols and staying responsive to customer preferences, airport facilities can maintain high standards of hygiene and enhance the overall airport experience for travellers.

Cleaning high-touch surfaces

One effective strategy is to utilise autonomous floor cleaners, which can efficiently disinfect large floor surfaces, freeing up staff to focus on other areas. Additionally, implementing an enhanced cleaning regimen that includes continuous cleaning of high-touch surfaces in high-traffic areas is crucial. This involves regular sanitisation of frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, and counters, ideally multiple times a day or after each flight's departure and arrival.

It is also beneficial to invest in cleaning technologies, such as electrostatic spraying systems, which can quickly and effectively sanitise large areas, including both surfaces and the air. To further enhance sanitation, some airports have introduced robots to clean and disinfect floors, covering a vast area and reducing the workload on staff.

To ensure the effectiveness of cleaning products, airports should embrace green cleaning products to reduce their environmental impact and promote better health for occupants and staff. This involves specifying the use of certified green cleaning products by vendors and ensuring that their cleaning systems and staff training align with green cleaning protocols. By combining technology, efficient regimens, and environmentally conscious products, airports can maintain high standards of hygiene, particularly on high-touch surfaces, fostering a safer and healthier environment for travellers and employees alike.

Cleaning during busy periods

Airports are vast facilities, with single terminals spanning 300,000 square feet. They are extremely busy, with large volumes of people and ever-changing schedules. This presents a challenge for cleaning crews, who must work around the crowds. The task of keeping such a spacious and crowded space clean falls to the airport facility manager, who is responsible for hiring a suitable cleaning contractor.

To ensure the cleanliness of the airport during busy periods, the facility manager should follow a careful selection process for the cleaning contractor. The manager should ask bidders to supply detailed information about their experience, management systems, hiring and training programs, green cleaning experience, and certifications. They should also inquire about the bidder's experience with waste collection and recycling, insurance coverage, and compliance with regulations. This process helps identify qualified vendors who can meet the unique demands of airport cleaning.

Once a suitable contractor is selected, the facility manager should communicate their expectations clearly. This includes specifying the desired cleaning schedule, such as whether cleaners should work throughout the day or only at specific times. The manager should also detail the scope of work, including the number of restrooms, types of flooring, and the overall cleanable square footage. This information enables the contractor to develop an efficient cleaning plan that addresses the challenges posed by busy periods.

To enhance cleaning during busy periods, airports can also invest in innovative technology and equipment. For example, autonomous floor cleaners can efficiently sanitize large areas, freeing up staff to focus on other critical areas. Additionally, powerful machines like the UniVac can quickly and effectively remove food spills and messes in food service areas, maintaining cleanliness and safety standards. By leveraging technology, airports can improve the speed and efficiency of their cleaning operations, even during peak times.

During busy periods, it is crucial to prioritize high-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces. This includes continuous cleaning of floors, handrails, handles, elevators and landings in passenger corridors. Restrooms, as the first and last place passengers visit, require special attention to ensure they remain inviting and fresh. By focusing on these areas, cleaning crews can maintain a high level of cleanliness even during crowded times.

Frequently asked questions