Examining airport accessibility through the experiences of UK-domiciled air passengers living with disabilities

The fact that air travel is inaccessible to growing sections of the world's population is well known yet progress in addressing these inequities remain slow. This paper posits that the spaces of commercial air travel, including airports and aircraft, are among the most disabling of public transport environments. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups with UK-domiciled air passengers who hold a range of disabled identities and live with specific access and mobility requirements, this paper examines the issue of airport accessibility through the lived experiences of passengers with disabilities, travellers living with life-affecting medical conditions, and those who travel with them. In so doing, both the sources and potential solutions to current airport accessibility challenges are identified and discussed. Physical, service, communication and attitudinal barriers were identified as being the most problematic issues. The need for more effective information sharing and targeted communication between air transport service providers and passengers who require special assistance is highlighted as is the potential to enhance staff training and service delivery. Recommendations for policy and practice are offered in the conclusion.