London Stansted has received a ‘good’ rating in the latest Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accessibility report that annually reviews the accessibility at UK airports.
The new, higher rating is recognition of the improvements and investments made to the service following the previous year’s assessment that airport assistance ‘needs improvement’ and was achieved while the airport reported record growth and served over 1.7 million more passengers than the year before.
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 which means passengers now enjoy a more pleasant, seamless arrival into and through the terminal.
The recent improvements 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 our Special Flyer Autism Awareness Scheme. London Stansted also works closely with the Alzheimers Society and has already successfully trained more than 400 staff as Dementia Friends.
The report considers a range of key service issues including passenger satisfaction, engagement with disability organisations and airport users and service efficiency.
Anne Wafula Strike, Paralympian, inclusion campaigner and member of London Stansted’s Disability Forum, said:
“London Stansted is an airport I frequently use and 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.”
