Airport News
A new travel guide for assisting disabled passengers at airports was launched yesterday (July 30) at London Heathrow.
The passport sized pamphlet covers 15 areas for ensuring a smoother journey for disabled people, including assistance dogs, accessibility, seating arrangements and getting mobility and other essential equipment on board.
The guide has been written by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and was developed in association with the Civil Aviation Authority. It has been approved by the Department of Transport and other travel organizations.
Mark Hicks, head of customer relations at Heathrow, said, “Over 90,000 passengers with reduced mobility travel through Heathrow per month and we strive to meet each person’s needs. More than a million pounds has been invested in specific facilities to make their journeys as smooth as possible – from the outset when booking flights or holidays all the way through to returning home.”
During the London 2012 Olympics, Heathrow worked with the charity Whizz Kids, as well as Paralympians Ade Adepitan and Lord Chris Holmes MBE, to better understand how to help passengers with reduced mobility pass through the airport.
Lord Chris Holmes, said, “Dignity and respect are values we all share, yet too many disabled travelers have experienced the opposite. Airports are complicated places to navigate. Accurate and succinct information is key for passengers who require assistance. This new guidance is another way to help make journeys as smooth as possible – from the outset when booking flights or holidays all the way through to returning home.”
