New Guidelines for Assisting Disabled Travellers

Added 13/07/2012

Disabled man in airport

New guidelines for supporting disabled passengers are being developed by the travel industry to ensure a smooth and trouble free journey for those with reduced mobility.

If you are travelling with a disability it’s important to let your airline or travel agent know of your requirements at the time of booking and ensure that you have disabled travel insurance in place before you travel.

The new guidelines for supporting disabled travellers have been drafted by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and ABTA (The Travel Association) and developed by an industry group including airlines, airports, travel agents, tour operators and an independent disability representative.

The aim of the guidelines is to help airlines, airports and travel companies provide the optimum travel experience to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, with the key focus being on pre-notification and communication which is essential for airports to ensure that the right resources are available at the right time to passengers who require assistance.

The new guidelines cover what should happen at the point of booking, right through to when the customer arrives at the airport and boards the plane.ABTA head of destinations and sustainability Nikki White said: “It can be deeply distressing for passengers to arrive at the airport and not have access to the assistance they require.

“By working together we have been able to develop practical guidelines that will help ensure a smooth and seamless experience for passengers with reduced mobility, from collecting the right information at booking to ensuring the resources are in place when they arrive at the airport.”Travelling with a disability or reduced mobility can be challenging, the most important thing to remember is to inform your airline or travel agent of your requirements at the time of booking. These new guidelines should ensure that the information is passed on to the right people who can provide the support you need to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Once you have booked your holiday and let your travel agent know about your disability, remember to buy your disabled travel insurance as soon as possible so that you get the maximum protection for cancellation.

News Archive

News Search