An industry and consumer expert group, tasked by the UK Government to advise on how to make air travel more accessible for disabled people, has released a series of recommendations aimed at improving safety, comfort and dignity.
The group, named the Aviation Accessibility Task & Finish Group, was established in November 2024 and is led by accessibility campaigner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who is also a former Paralympic athlete.
“This report is the next critical step in making air travel more inclusive for disabled people,” said Baroness Grey-Thompson. “I’m grateful for the commitment the industry has shown to making change and breaking down barriers in aviation for everyone, bringing freedom to travel, whether for leisure or work, and to connect with friends and family. We know there’s more work to be done, and I look forward to seeing these recommendations turned into action which truly put accessibility at the heart of aviation.”
A path to more accessible air travel experiences
The group has recommended 19 key actions that airlines, airports, and aviation regulators could adopt to improve accessibility in airports and on board aircraft.
The proposals include the following:
- Disability awareness training developed with input from disabled people should be rolled out across all aviation roles, including airline crew, assistance providers, ground services, security, and hospitality staff.
- There should be clearer passenger information, ensuring people can easily access information about their journey, including how they can request and book assistance, where they can find in-airport support services, and more detailed guidance on how their mobility aids will be transported along the way. The latter point is important as many mobility aids, such as powered chairs, are damaged during handling.
- Passengers should have easy access to transparent and straightforward information regarding complaints procedures.
- The group also recommends that the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) should build on its existing oversight of accessibility processes on key priority areas such as reviewing its airport accessibility framework. The CAA uses this framework to conduct annual assessments of airports to rate how well they are performing in line with their legal obligations. The UK Department for Transport says that this year’s report showed that performance at the majority of airports assessed was rated in the ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ category.
Heidi Alexander, the UK Transport Secretary, said of the report and recommendations: “Everyone should be able to travel with dignity and be respected at every stage of their journeys, including disabled passengers. That’s why we established this group in November last year, and I welcome this report’s findings, which will clear the runway for greater accessibility in aviation.
“I know industry is working hard to make services more inclusive for all, and I look forward to seeing these proposals becoming a reality with the support of the Group. Now is the time for action and to make a real difference so that people can travel with confidence,” added Alexander.
The Group will now continue its important work by driving these recommendations forward, supporting the aviation industry in its adoption of the recommendations and its delivery of a better passenger experience for disabled people. The Group will report annually to the Department for Transport, to showcase progress on delivery of the recommendations.
An important driver of accessibility in air travel is the Rights on Flights campaign, founded in March 2023 by Sophie Morgan, Maayan Ziv, Josh Wood, Chris Wood MBE and Roberto Castiglioni MBE to combat accessibility and safety barriers for disabled travellers. Sophie Morgan, who is part of the Aviation Accessibility Task & Finish Group, gives her views on the recommendations HERE.
You can hear about Chris Wood’s crusade to make air travel more accessible in this episode of the Aircraft Interiors Podcast.
Industry reaction
The recommendations of the Aviation Accessibility Task & Finish Group will involve action by many players in the air travel sector, particularly airports and airlines. These are a few reactions:
Sue Sharp, Deputy chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC):
“DPTAC welcomed the opportunity to be part of the Group. The actions recommended can deliver real improvement in air travel for disabled people, and the commitment is there from those involved to deliver on them. We need to maintain that that drive so disabled people, like everyone else, can enjoy accessible, stress-free air travel.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK:
“We welcome the publication of this report, the outcome of positive collaboration across industry, Government and the third sector towards the important goal of ongoing improvements in service provision, for those with both visible and non-visible need for extra support when travelling by air. As demand for assistance services continues to increase, airlines remain committed to removing barriers so that flying is accessible to all who wish to travel, and look forward to supporting the implementation of these recommendations with partners responsible for each stage of the passenger journey.”
Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK:
“Airports continue to work extremely hard to provide the services required by passengers with additional needs, both visible and non-visible, on which they are assessed every year by the CAA, the UK regulator. The recommendations in this report will help build on the work already being done by airports, and the wider sector, to ensure air travel is accessible to all.”
Anthony Jennings, disability rights advocate and accessible transport advisor:
“Disabled people’s representation with their lived experience and accessible transport expertise, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, was fundamental to delivering inclusive recommendations in the Group’s accessibility report. Implementation of the recommendations – including improved staff training and mobility aid handling, clear passenger rights and complaints procedures and a review of the CAA’s airport performance framework – will improve the real-world inclusive experience for disabled passengers and give them more confidence to fly.”
David Leighton, chief executive of Aviation Services UK:
“On behalf of Aviation Services UK, which represents firms that handle over 80% of all UK flights, it has been a privilege to serve as a member of the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group. The Group’s report is the culmination of months of hard work by colleagues and stakeholders. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of Baroness Grey-Thompson and her fantastic team, we have built critical momentum towards improving accessibility in aviation.”
