Gatwick invests in new accessibility facilities

Gatwick Airport has announced that it is investing more money into accessibility facilities such as an Eagle Hoist lifting facility.

While a lot of airports these days are happy to pay the cost of stair lifts as well as boasting lifts to help passengers with mobility problems, the UK's second biggest and busiest airport has revealed that it has purchased an Eagle Hoist 4, a passenger lifting facility to help passengers with mobility problems and wheelchair users to their aircraft seat.

The new hoist will safely move passengers to their aircraft seat in commercial passenger jets and Gatwick is the first airport in the world to buy the new apparatus.

Gatwick has also revealed it will be investing in two specialist hoist assisted toilet facilities over the course of the year and these will come with a height adjustable adult sized changing bench.

The airport's ongoing commitment to accessibility will also see it building two new sensory rooms for people who suffer from sensory processing difficulties like autism and dementia, also known as invisible disabilities. Its aim is to eventually build a sensory room in each terminal to help the wellbeing of passengers.

The sensory rooms will block out noise and will control temperature, lighting and space to help improve the well-being of the passengers that use them.

New facilities to improve passengers airport experience

Once built, the new facilities will improve a passengers experience and will reduce their stress levels.

Speaking to ADS Advance, Nikki Barton, Head of Terminals at Gatwick Airport, adds, “We are delighted to be investing in these new facilities as they will improve the welfare of our passengers and make their journey through the airport as pleasant and stress free as possible.

“We’ve purposely announced these new facilities on the first anniversary of the Hidden Disabilities Lanyard as we want to use the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue among other airports, transport providers and public-serving organisations.

"The experience we have had with the lanyard has been very positive and, along with our partners OCS, we would encourage other organisations to implement similar schemes to help identify passengers who may require additional support.”

Image Credit: Chris Sampson (flickr)