Sydney Airport is offering a number of new services for passengers requiring extra assistance.
- One service allows passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond
- Another new service empowers blind and low vision passengers to confidently navigate the airport
- a third service provides a bathroom for passengers with profound disabilities
Service allows passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond
Families, elderly passengers, people with disabilities and other passengers requiring extra assistance can benefit from a new new partnership between the airport and Medical Travel Companions. This service allows passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond. This means that passengers can relax and enjoy their trip at the airport
The service is tailored to cater for individual needs and is available from when passengers arrive at their gate through to when they check in at their hotel in the city or step aboard their harbour cruise.
Passengers seeking assistance can book and pay for their travel companion online.
New service empowers blind and low vision passengers to confidently navigate the airport
Sydney Airport is the first Australian airport to offer a navigation service for visually impaired passengers. The Aira service empowers blind and low vision passengers to confidently navigate the airport.
The free service to passengers departing or arriving in Sydney, works via a smartphone app on any iOS or Android device, connecting the traveller to an Aira agent. The agent provides on-demand, personalised access to visual information to help the passenger.
The Aira service has already been launched at a number of airports, including:
- London Gatwick (LGW)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- Wellington (WLG)
- Houston Airport System (the operator of both airports)
Bathroom for passengers with profound disabilities
Sydney Airport recently opened a Changing-Places accredited bathroom at T1 International Arrivals. The bathroom set includes full-sized changing tables and hoists to assist people with profound disabilities and an assistance animal toilet for companion pets. The facility is wheelchair accessible and contains an artificial turf area, a disposable bin and water bowl for companion animals. The bathroom also incorporates a Parent Room.
N.B. Image credit: Brett Sayles from Pexels
