Airlines Advance Accessible Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities

Author: IATA (International Air Transport Association)
Published: 2019/06/10 - Updated: 2025/04/16
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Disability Air Travel - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This article provides an in-depth overview of ongoing efforts by the airline industry to improve air travel accessibility for passengers with disabilities, highlighting the challenges posed by inconsistent global regulations and the need for harmonized standards. It explains how collaboration between airlines, governments, and the disability community is essential to create seamless, dignified, and safe travel experiences for all, especially as the number of travelers with disabilities and seniors continues to rise. The article details recent initiatives, such as the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into national aviation policies, the development of industry-wide best practices, and technological innovations that support independent travel for those with reduced mobility. This information is particularly useful for travelers with disabilities, their families, advocates, and industry professionals, as it outlines both current progress and future directions for accessible air travel - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 75th Annual General Meeting (AGM) unanimously approved a resolution to improve the air travel experience for the estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide.

Main Content

The AGM confirms the commitment of airlines to ensuring that passengers with disabilities have access to safe, reliable and dignified travel, and calls upon governments to use IATA's core principles for accommodating passengers with disabilities.

These principles aim to change the focus from disability to accessibility and inclusion by bringing the travel sector together with governments to harmonize regulations and provide the clarity and global consistency that passengers expect.

"Airlines were ahead of their time when, 50 years ago, we set out standards to ensure passengers with disabilities had access to air travel. But now we need to go further. The numbers of persons with disabilities travelling by air are set to increase significantly as populations expand and grow older. We applaud the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. With today's resolution the industry is committed to ensure that passengers living with disability can travel safely and with dignity," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

The resolution requests that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) apply IATA's core principles as the basis for its multilateral initiatives on accessibility for passengers with disabilities. This work is vital to help harmonize national legislation and regulations which otherwise could create a patchwork of confusing or even contradictory requirements for passengers and airlines.

Wheelchair Assistance

An IATA survey of 48 airlines reported that the requests for wheelchair assistance grew 30% between 2016 and 2017, putting strain onto the quality of the service provided. Airlines and airports are working together to ensure that wheelchair assistance is available to those who need it. In parallel, they are also working to develop other forms of assistance for passengers who are mobile but do not feel comfortable navigating through a large airport.

For passengers with disabilities who travel with their own mobility aids, damage when stowed is a major concern. Airlines are working with associations of passengers with disabilities, airports, ground handlers, and regulators, to look at ways to improve this. One option under consideration is to develop standard procedures related to the loading of passengers' mobility aids.

"We know that many passengers with disabilities rely absolutely on their mobility aids and we recognize that any damage to them can be a serious, even traumatic, issue. Our aim is to ensure that passengers with disabilities can travel with peace of mind knowing that their mobility aids will arrive undamaged and fit for use," said- de Juniac.

IATA Core Principles On Passengers with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities are important to the air transport sector. This is why IATA has developed these practical principles to help airlines work collaboratively with regulators and to provide a safe and satisfying travel experience to their valued customers.

Policy Principles

CP1. Accessibility: The air transport sector should continue to promote inclusiveness and universal accessibility for all passengers, including for persons with disabilities.
CP2. Common Definition: National legislation (and supranational regional instruments) should apply a common, inter-operable definition for passengers with disabilities. National law definitions should be consistent with the relevant standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including those under Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention.
CP3. Harmonization: In keeping with CP2, national legislation on passengers with disabilities should be harmonized to the greatest extent practicable. The principle of harmonization should apply equally to the policies, procedures and practices implemented pursuant to national legislation.
CP4. Clarity: National legislation should be clear and unambiguous in its terms. Such legislation should not infringe treaty obligations or other obligations of international law.
CP5. Consultation: Regulators should consult with the airline industry and other air transport sector stakeholders well before legislation, policies, procedures or practices are adopted. Such consultation processes should be transparent and meaningful.
CP6. Impact assessment: Regulators should undertake a comprehensive impact assessment that deals with the costs and benefits of any proposed regulatory action.
CP7. Fair application: National legislation should contain safeguards to prevent exploitation of the system for personal convenience.
CP8. Assistance: Airlines should assist passengers with disabilities in a manner that takes into account the best interests of the passengers, relevant safety regulations and operational realities.
CP9. Guidance: Airlines should provide clear guidance to passengers with disabilities on their requirements for the carriage of mobility devices and medical equipment.
CP10. Training: Airline and aviation service staff should be supported by their employers in acquiring and maintaining the proper knowledge, skills and abilities to provide passengers with disabilities a seamless and dignified travel experience.
CP11. Reducing burdens: National legislation should be balanced in its application and should not impose disproportionate or impracticable burdens on airlines.
CP12. Communication: Regulators should strongly encourage passengers with disabilities to provide pre-notification of their needs in advance of their travel.
CP13. Coordination: Air transport sector stakeholders and governments should coordinate their approach in order to deliver consistent end-to-end service to passengers with disabilities regardless of location and national borders.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The editorial perspective underscores that as the aviation sector evolves, prioritizing accessibility is not just a matter of compliance but a strategic imperative that serves a growing demographic. Ensuring that air travel is inclusive benefits not only individuals with disabilities but also seniors and anyone who may face mobility challenges, ultimately fostering a travel environment that reflects the values of dignity and equal opportunity. While these proposed changes mark a positive shift, meaningful progress will depend on consistent implementation and regulatory oversight. For the millions of travelers who face mobility challenges, the difference between token improvement and real accessibility lies in whether airlines treat these measures as obligations, not options. Continued public pressure and accountability will be crucial to turning these proposals into lasting standards - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and published on 2019/06/10, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.