APEX Health Safety has certified RwandAir with a ‘diamond’ rating for its work in ensuring the highest standards of safety for its customers and crew.
RwandAir has become the first airline in Africa to achieve ‘diamond’ status from APEX Health Safety, powered by SimpliFlying. The rating comes after RwandAir recently became the first African airline to vaccinate all staff. It positions RwandAir as the safest airline in Africa.
“Reaching the highest attainable level for hygiene standards is a powerful clean bill of health for the airline, and validation for all the hard work we have put in to ensure the safest possible traveller experience for our customers and staff.”
Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, was quoted in a statement by the airline as saying: “The health and safety of our customers and staff is the top priority for RwandAir, so we are delighted to be awarded Diamond status from APEX Health Safety, powered by SimpliFlying, for our Covid-19 prevention measures. Reaching the highest attainable level for hygiene standards is a powerful clean bill of health for the airline, and validation for all the hard work we have put in to ensure the safest possible traveller experience for our customers and staff. We know that restoring customer confidence to fly is critical to resume safe international travel, which is why we have undertaken a 360-degree approach to ensuring that every aspect of our operations meet the highest standards,” she said.
A series of firsts
In February, RwandAir announced that it would be the first airline to trial the IATA Travel Pass – a digital platform designed to easily and securely verify that passengers comply with Covid-19 travel requirements. It aims to help governments safely reopen borders.
Developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the system can be integrated into airlines’ own apps so passengers understand and adhere to all requirements throughout their travel.
“RwandAir is showing its industry leadership in Africa by becoming the first airline on the continent to trial IATA Travel Pass. RwandAir has long used IATA products as the most reliable source of information on entry requirements. This trial will build on that history of working in partnership and takes us a step further in the context of Covid-19,” commented Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO.
What are the Health Safety Standards?
According to its website, “the APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying sets the industry standard for customer-centric Covid-19 certification.”
Further, it says its Health Safety Standard aims to encourage airlines to play a proactive role in global travel while creating a benchmark for the safety of passengers against industry best practice.
APEX Health Safety provides a 58-point checklist for airlines that covers 10 categories. This is a full audit comprised of a submission verification and validation, and the certification process is subject to a quarterly review. The checklist can be viewed here.
Photo credits: Airplane in flight by Benjamin Suter from Pexels; RwandAir aircraft on tarmac via RwandAir
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