ACI World launches expanded guidance to improve accessible travel
New publication launched at leading airport event dedicated to customer and employee experience
Airports Council International (ACI) World has launched Accessible Airports and Travel: A Practical Guide, an essential publication dedicated to improving accessible travel for all passengers.
The launch took place during the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Forum at the ACI Global Customer Experience Summit, the world’s leading airport event dedicated to customer and employee experience.
The guide has been developed by the ACI World Facilitation and Services Standing Committee, together with leading accessibility advocacy groups, ACI World training partners, ACI regions, ACI airport members and Customer Centric Consulting. It was made possible by financial support from Inter VISTAS Consulting and Amadeus.
Building on ACI’s Global Handbook on Airports and Persons with Disabilities, the expanded guide provides updated best practices for integrating accessibility into new and existing airport facilities. It includes practical recommendations, case studies and strategies for barrier-free design, accessible procedures and services for passengers with visible and non-visible disabilities, while focusing on staff training.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said: “Approximately 1.3 billion people, or one in six worldwide, live with some form of disability (WHO). ACI World is dedicated to helping our member airports create barrier-free environments, ensuring equal access and exceptional travel experiences for all airport passengers, regardless of ability. We remain committed to promoting and developing resources, such as the new Accessible Airports and Travel publication, to help our members provide a more inclusive and accessible air transport system.”
The publication Airports and Accessibility in Travel: A Practical Guide is launched during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council's Facilitation Year, with the aim of raising global awareness and highlighting the importance of facilitation in the aviation sector.
To further support its global members, ACI also developed the Accessibility Improvement Accreditation (AEA) program, which offers a continuous improvement path for airports when it comes to accessibility for passengers with disabilities. This program helps airports measure, assess and improve their accessibility management and culture through tailored advice from subject matter experts and peer learning experiences. It remains the only international assessment and accreditation program dedicated to airport accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
The programme’s first certification ceremony was held during the ASQ Forum, which marked the second anniversary of the AEA programme. To date, more than 50 airports have joined the initiative, underlining airports’ dedication to creating a more accessible and inclusive air transport system.
Source: ACI.