London Stansted Airport has received a ‘good’ rating in the latest Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report on accessibility at UK airports.
The new, higher rating is recognition of the changes made following the previous year’s assessment that airport assistance at Stansted required improvement.
Improvements made include a complete overhaul of the arrivals route for passengers requiring assistance, new toilet facilities and lift, and a direct corridor to immigration.
The recent alterations are in addition to a host of other initiatives in place at the airport, including Changing Places facilities both airside and landside, Airport Awareness lanyards to indicate to staff that a passenger may require assistance due to a hidden disability, and a Special Flyer Autism Awareness Scheme. London Stansted also works closely with the Alzheimer’s Society and has successfully trained more than 400 staff as Dementia Friends.
Anne Wafula Strike, paralympian, inclusion campaigner and member of the airport’s Disability Forum, said, “London Stansted is an airport I frequently use. It knows that access and inclusion is the right thing to do and I am pleased to see the improvements that have been achieved through dedication and a spirit of listening to disabled people. I hope other airports will follow this positive example and make it a business imperative.”
Commenting on the improved rating, London Stansted chief operating officer Steve Griffiths added, “In the last year we have worked closely with our airline partners and our service provider, Omniserv, to make many improvements. Through continuous engagement and collaboration with members of our Disability Forum we have achieved a clear focus on the issues that really matter to passengers requiring additional assistance and support.”