Gatwick hosted exclusive airside tours for local families to experience the airport and board a British Airways aircraft

• Families in need of extra assistance got to see how the airport can support them
• Airlines, emergency services, Border Force and police dogs were there to engage with the 30 families

LONDON, UK, 2019-Apr-09 — /Travel PR News/ — London Gatwick welcomed 30 families to see the sights and hear the sounds of a busy airport in a safe, positive and fun environment on Saturday 6th April. The aim of Gatwick’s Accessibility Day is to help familiarise families who may find the airport experience overwhelming and need extra support with their airport journey – before they actually travel.

The families were able to board an aeroplane, experience security procedures and even have a refreshment in the V-Room – Virgin Atlantic’s exclusive lounge-as part of their tour of Gatwick.

Additionally, the guests were invited to see Gatwick’s extensive facilities for passengers with a disability – both physical and hidden. This included a chance to see the Gatwick sensory room – a UK airport first – which gives families respite from what can be a busy and overwhelming environment for some travellers with specific needs.

Employees from British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic and TUI were on hand throughout the day and helped answer questions from the families to explain more about how the airport works.

Sara Marchant, Accessibility Officer, London Gatwick, said:

“I am delighted that we hosted a successful accessibility event. It was great to see so many families take part and engage so enthusiastically.

“We aim to be the UK’s most accessible airport, and we hope it showed everyone how much focus we put on being an airport for every traveller. We have a range of facilities and well-trained staff to help any passenger who may have a disability or simply require any kind of additional assistance and support.”

Notes to editors:

Gatwick Airport has a wide range of accessibility schemes such as the hidden disability lanyard scheme and special assistance lounges.

More details are located on our website.

About Gatwick Airport

Gatwick’s Airport is the UK’s second largest airport. It serves more than 230 destinations in 74 countries for 46 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. Gatwick is also a major economic driver and generates around 85,000 jobs nationally, with 24,000 of these located on the airport. The airport is south of Central London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express, and is part of the Oyster contactless payment network.

Gatwick’s 2018 draft master plan sets out proposals for the airport’s ongoing development and sustainable growth. It also outlines the airport’s latest thinking on how it can meet the increasing demand for air travel and provide Britain with enhanced global connectivity. A 12-week public consultation closed on 10 January 2019, and a consultation response summary and final master plan will be published later in 2019.

For further information on Gatwick Airport see www.gatwickairport.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatwick_Airport

Media enquiries to:
GATWICK AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE
+ 44 (0) 1293 505000
gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com

Source: GATWICK AIRPORT

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