CAA Issues Airport Guidelines for Flyers With Hidden Disabilities

It is hoped that the initiative will enable British airports to better support travelers with autism, dementia and mental health problems, who may find the airport experience overwhelming.

The United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued new guidelines with the aim of improving the airport experience of passengers with mental health problems, autism and dementia as well as those who are hearing or visually impaired. It is hoped that this guidance will enable airports to offer better support to travelers with hidden disabilities.

This move has been lauded by a number of disability charities, who have welcomed the initiative.

In a statement issued by the CAA, Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Britain’s Alzheimer’s Society said, “We know that airports can be a daunting or frightening experience for many people affected by dementia. This can put people off traveling and in turn lead to them feeling socially isolated.”

Speaking on behalf of the National Autistic Society, Daniel Cadey added, “Like anyone else, people on the autism spectrum and families want the opportunity to travel and go on holiday. But many […] find the often busy, loud and unpredictable environment of airports disorientating and overwhelming.”

As part of these guidelines, airport employees will take part in awareness training to ensure that staff are able to offer passengers the appropriate level of support. Airports will also offer travelers the option to wear a bracelet or lanyard in order to allow them to be easily identified by staff.

The CAA, the body responsible for regulating Britain’s aviation industry, has also suggested the use of quiet zones which circumvent chaotic duty-free areas as well as clear airport signage to help travelers locate essential points like toilets.

As part of its guidance, the CAA has asked the 30 largest airports in the country, “to make the necessary improvements to their special assistance service” and says that it will publish a progress report on the initiative in 2017.

Speaking of the guidelines, Richard Moriarty, director of the CAA’s Markets and Consumer Group, said, “Everyone should have fair access to air travel and that’s why there are regulations in place to make sure passengers get the assistance they need to be able to fly.”

[Photo: Shutterstock]