Airport News

The Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) has long been known for a first-rate customer experience and exceptionally clean facility. A clean Airport environment has always been an important feature, but amid a health pandemic, more crucial than ever.

Over the years CAK has taken measures to create a nearly touch-free environment, and now in anticipation of the gradual return of passengers, the Airport is making several changes to its facilities and operations to expand those efforts.

“Travelers’ health and comfort are top priorities of ours,” said Ren Camacho, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Airport. “Our employees pride themselves on holding high standards for the cleanliness of CAK, and these additional enhancements and protocols will allow us to meet the even higher standards we’ve set.”

Important changes being implemented include:

• Acrylic shields: acrylic shields are being installed in key high-traffic areas, including ticket counters, security checkpoints, boarding gates and concessions counters

• Face coverings: all airport employees, airline employees, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and most tenants are required to wear face coverings when around other individuals

• Social distancing markers: hundreds of ground markings and signs give guidance on six-foot distancing at ticket counters, boarding gates, restrooms, concessions counters, TSA, and other common areas

• Reduced seating: seating will be reduced, blocked off or spaced apart in places like gate areas, dining areas, workstations and employee break rooms to promote distancing

• Cleaning and sanitation: CAK has increased the frequency of cleaning, using hospital-grade disinfectant on hard surfaces, and has added more hand sanitizers throughout the Airport

“We have implemented and will continue to implement customer-friendly measures to meet the expectations that our travelers have, at the level they deserve,” said Camacho. “Our team is continually monitoring traveler sentiment and ensuring we are delivering on the promise of ‘a better way to go.’”

In addition to these and other changes, CAK is urging its guests and travelers to follow CDC guidelines to stay healthy, as well as the following:

• All passengers and guests are encouraged to wear face coverings while at the Airport in any capacity; all carriers at CAK are currently requiring passengers to wear face coverings
  
  
• Travelers are encouraged to use carry-on luggage and mobile boarding passes to limit touchpoints

• Those picking up or dropping off passengers are encouraged to wait in the Cell Phone Lot or short-term lot unless they are assisting unaccompanied minors, passengers with disabilities, or others who need assistance

“The Airport is working with our community and partners to be prepared whether travel resumes this summer, or later,” said Camacho. “While we miss seeing the consistent number of travelers at CAK at this time, we know that health and safety is first and foremost, and we’ll be ready when the time is right.”