Meridian, an award-winning private aviation company, announces that Airports Council International (ACI) has renewed Teterboro Airport’s accreditation in ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program. 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,” said Victor Rodriguez, Meridian’s safety and training coordinator. Rodriguez, who was the primary point of contact with the airport authorities, was responsible for ensuring compliance and providing documentation during the audit to help maintain the accreditation for Meridian. In addition to his safety responsibilities, Rodriguez 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 travelers 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 added. “As an FBO on the field, we are proud of Teterboro’s continued commitment to prioritizing 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 their control, which includes Teterboro,” said Steve Chandoha, Meridian president. “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 their information which was then consolidated into the airport application. As the airport activity continues to increase, this continued accreditation should give travelers, 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 program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents such as COVID-19. Meridian received the GBAC STAR designation earlier this year and will shortly begin submitting the necessary documentation for renewal.
Both Meridian FBOs (TEB and HWD) are also Safety 1st Clean certified by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). The registration recognizes the company’s commitment to following best practices and guidelines from both the NATA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) around cleaning, disinfecting and hygiene, as well as ongoing education and training. Conformance to the Safety 1st Clean standard also requires that the organization has a hazard communication plan in place, which Meridian does 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,” added 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.”
