CAA publishes new industry guidance on assisting passengers with hidden disabilities

LONDON, UK, 2018-Oct-16 — /Travel PR News/ — The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today (15 October, 2018) published new industry guidance on assisting passengers with hidden disabilities. The guidance to airlines follows similar advice given to airports in 2016 and has been formulated in association with disability groups. Acknowledging existing good practice by some carriers, the CAA expects to see passengers with hidden disabilities treated with an appropriate level of care by all airlines.

The CAA guidance makes clear that airlines need the right procedures in place to assist such passengers.

Specifically, airlines should:

• Have a clear and accessible pre-notification system in place allowing passengers to request special assistance at the point of booking.
• Share information about a passenger’s assistance needs within their own organisation and with the airport and ground handling agents.
• Ensure a passenger with a hidden disability is seated with a travelling companion at no extra cost.
• Invest in quality training for staff so hidden disabilities can be identified and passengers assisted accordingly.
• Ensure passengers with hidden disabilities are looked after in the event of flight delays and cancellations.

Paul Smith, Director of Consumers & Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Hidden disabilities can include autism, dementia, epilepsy and a wide range of invisible medical conditions. Therefore, we are absolutely committed to ensuring everyone has equal access to air travel. Passengers with hidden disabilities can find airports and aeroplanes confusing and challenging environments, which is why we want to work with the industry to ensure the journey from check-in to arrival at a final destination is made as comfortable as possible.

“Our work with airports to improve assistance for passengers with hidden disabilities is now being extended to include airlines. Together we can ensure that the appropriate level of assistance and care is provided wherever and whenever it is required.”

The full guidance document can be found at www.caa.co.uk/cap1603

Contact:
CAA Press Office
Tel. 0333 103 6000
Press.office@caa.co.uk

Source: CAA