Disabled travellers have been urged to warn airports of their arrival at least 48 hours in advance if they need assistance to walk to the gate.
Travel advice organisation ABTA said some travellers at major UK airports may have to walk over 1km from check-in to the gate, which can be a “challenge for passengers who find it difficult to walk longer distances”.
“ABTA is advising people to pre-notify their tour operator or airline no later than 48 hours in advance of departure, that they may need assistance,” ABTA said in a statement.
Maximum distances from check in or special assistance desks to gates at the larger UK airports
Birmingham airport | 530 metres |
Edinburgh airport | 695 metres |
Gatwick airport | 780 metres |
Glasgow airport | 750 metres |
Luton airport | 900 metres |
Manchester airport | 822 metres |
Stansted airport | 1165 metres |
Nikki White, ABTA director of destinations and sustainability, said: “For most, travelling through airports is a fairly straight-forward process, but for those who may find walking longer distances harder to manage, larger airports can present a challenge.
We would encourage anyone who may need assistance to inform their tour operator or airline no later than 48 hours before they travel so that their journey through the airport will be as comfortable as possible, and they will be able to board their flight with plenty of time to spare.”
Read a feature from our September/October 2015 issue on managing disabled travellers (page 94)