?Over 4.5 billion passengers fly each year. But for some passengers with physical or hidden disabilities, flying may be an inconvenient, worrying or even painful experience. The airline industry is committed to ensuring that safe, reliable and dignified air travel is equally accessible to all passengers. Airlines and airports are working with representative groups from the disabled community to make flying as hassle-free as possible.
IATA Global Accessibility Symposium
The first event on air travel and accessibility brings together accessibility advocacy groups, travelers, airlines, policymakers and other stakeholders. The 2nd edition is planned for 27-28 Oct. 2020 and will be online. It will focus on the efforts driven by the aviation industry in 2020, including the recommendations to accessible air travel in response to COVID-19.
> See more event details
IATA supported a survey by easyTravelseat to look specifically at the concerns and opinions of global travellers with disabilities and their views on flying following the pandemic. The results of this survey were shared with IATA member airlines, as they prepared for a rebound in passengers and the implementation of new measures.
The feedback from the disability community will be crucial for a safe and efficient restart for all passengers.
> See results of this survey
Leveraging survey data, and in consultation with both disability associations and airline members, IATA has developed guidance to the airline industry in the context of the restart of air travel. This will help support and inform policy as airlines expect to welcome passengers with disabilities back to the skies.
> Download the IATA Guidance on Accessible Air Travel in Response to COVID-19 (pdf)
Landmark industry resolution
During the 75th IATA Annual General Meeting in June 2019, global airline leaders unanimously agreed a resolution calling on governments to adopt 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.
Read full resolution text: Resolution on Disabled Passengers (pdf)
Need for harmonization of disability legislation
We recognize we can and should do more. One area of concern is the proliferation of differing disability legislation across the globe, which creates confusion for passengers with disabilities, difficulties for airlines, and raises potential safety implications. Critically, there is no common definition of a passenger with disabilities or agreement on the minimum service levels they can expect when traveling by air.
IATA advocates for a joint government and industry approach, that meets the needs of passengers with disabilities, while ensuring efficient and safe air transport. In particular, working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), IATA is campaigning with states to closely involve the airline industry in the inclusion of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN CRPD) into national aviation legislation and policies related to accessible air transport.