New Aviation Partnership to Tackle Accessibility

An expert group dedicated to improving the experience of airline passengers who use mobility aids has been created in response to the government’s Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group’s recent report. 

Ground services trade body Aviation Services UK (ASUK) has partnered with the British Health Trades Association (BHTA) and Sunrise Medical to form the Aviation Accessibility Panel (AAP).

ASUK represents companies that handle 80% of all UK flights. The BHTA is a not-for-profit trade association that brings together manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service providers to champion better health and care for all. Sunrise Medical is one of the world’s largest mobility aid manufacturers.

Chaired by Paralympian, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL, the Task and Finish Group has published a report with 19 recommendations to improve accessibility in aviation. The AAP will focus on two of those recommendations, targeting mobility aid design and handling.

Airlines and airports that have committed to supporting the AAP’s work include British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, Manchester Airports Group, and London Heathrow.

Work is already underway to drive best practice by building on Sunrise Medical’s Power Chair Travel Tags to enable better communication between mobility aid users, airlines and ground service providers. 

The AAP’s other aims include supporting improved training to handle complex devices and promoting ‘flier friendly’ design innovations to reduce the risk of damage to mobility aids.

“It has been a privilege to serve from the start as a member of the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group,” said ASUK Chief Executive, David Leighton.

“Our discussions on mobility aid design and manufacturing raised several complex issues and underlined the need to develop collaboration with mobility aid manufacturers.

“That’s why we’re delighted to join forces with Sunrise Medical and the British Healthcare Trades Association to create the Aviation Accessibility Panel, helping to deliver the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations.

To find out more about the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group visit https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/aviation-accessibility-task-and-finish-group

Photo credit: Menzies Aviation