WHAT’S NEW IN SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of most important airport due to its gateway to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the United States. Being the hub for IT sector, flight to this airport is always in high demand. Aviation World highlights key development project and health steps implemented at SFO to make it more passenger friendly airport.

Travelling across the airports has completely changed as one has to adhere to strict safety protocols. All, this is done to keep passengers safe throughout their journey. In this feature, we have highlighted San Francisco International Airport which is a very important destination for Indians to enter United States. The official website www.flysfo.com proudly mentions; Ready? So we are. Let’s Go There.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the most important and busiest airports in the United States as it connects maximum parts of North America and also functions as a major gateway to Europe and Asia. With the United States easing lockdown rules, various airports in the country including SFO is enhancing its operations in accordance with the govt. health guidelines.

Health Protocols
As per the recent directive, face masks are still required for air travel, including at airports and onboard aircraft in the US all times till September 13, 2021 regardless of vaccination status. The strict efforts to maintain health guidelines have earned SFO an Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) World. The program evaluates new health and safety measures and procedures introduced at airports worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, SFO also organised three-day onsite COVID vaccination clinic from 11th to 13th May, initially created for airport workers and family later on expanded to all travellers. At present, COVID testing center is functional at Level 1, Courtyard A to Level 3, at the Aisle 6 ticket counter in the Edwin M. Lee International Departures Hall. SFO opened the first onsite rapid testing at the airport in July 2020, initially for airport workers only. In October 2020, the site expanded to offer testing to United Airlines passengers to Hawaii, and then more airlines were added.

Terminal connectivity with AirTrain
As part of the development program, SFO has recently completed a project to extend the AirTrain electric people mover system to Long-Term Parking. With this accomplishment, the AirTrain now provides seamless connectivity between all terminals, all parking garages, the on-airport hotel, BART station, and Rental Car Center. As transportation to Long-Term Parking was previously provided by shuttle bus, this move is expected to eliminate 600,000 miles of trips annually.

“This is the culmination of the long-held ambition for SFO,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “When the AirTrain opened in 2003, we always envisioned a future project to create this extension to Long-Term Parking. Completing this construction means easier access for travelers, less roadway congestion, and more clean-energy transportation around our Airport. My thanks go out to the entire project team for achieving this milestone in our history.”