Every year, December comes and goes. Yet, it holds a special place in all our hearts for various reasons. One observance that’s worth a mention is the International Day of Person’s with Disabilities marked on December 3 each year.
Recently, the Delhi airport marked and observed the day by enabling special assistance for flyers using airport and airline facilities to commute.
To minimise problems for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM), the airport has equipped itself with signage, Braille-coded lift keys, PRM-friendly desks, reserved seating areas, buggy service at pier junctions, and special PRM-friendly washrooms. Besides, the staff at the airport is also trained to provide needed assistance to challenged flyers.
The DIAL also has designated reserved vehicular lanes to drive a passenger with special needs to the airport. Upon reaching, airport staff can be contacted via PRM/special assistance phones available at multiple locations.
At terminals 1 & 2, the inner lane nearest to the terminal is a reserved vehicular lane; at T3 inner/premium Lane nearest to the terminal building is designated to assist persons with UDID / Divyang ID. If the passenger is being dropped off at terminal 3, gate 3 facilitates priority entering. At T2, it is gates 1 & 3 and at T1, gate 8 is designated for special assistance to flyers with special needs.
In the event of a medical emergency, well-trained doctors and paramedics are available from the emergency treatment centre run by Medanta Hospital, the Medicity. These doctors and paramedics are available round the clock.
The Medanta Medical Centres are equipped with emergency treatment centres for passengers & visitors alike. Ambulances are provided to cater to any severe medical emergency. Medanta Medical facility is available at T-1, T-2 and T-3. Fortis Medical Facility is also available at T-3.
Hyderabad airport too offers free buggy services, paid wheel chair and a PRM waiting area for flyers with special needs. To avail of the service, one may contact the buggy parked adjacent to the Security hold area in Domestic Departures and near the Domestic Aerobridge Arrival area and IDAT Domestic Baggage Reclaim area.
Airport Kruz, an automated wheelchair service is available on a chargeable basis to passengers travelling through Rajiv Gandhi International airport. The service is a mix of electrical and manual wheelchairs. Passengers can place their request for the wheelchair service either at the Airport Kruz counter situated at Domestic and International Departures or book on +91- 7654321737.
Apart from the major Indian airports at the country’s metro cities, tier-2 airports also offer certain special services to ensure that passengers with special needs are comfortable during their journey and travel.
Earlier in June 2022, 14 Indian airports were equipped with specialized ambulifts to help ‘divyang’ flyers in boarding aircrafts. As per news reports, India’s 35 international airports and 55 out of 69 domestic airports are now accessible to ‘divyangjan’ with accessibility features, and 41 airports are fully equipped with aerobridges and 20 airports have been equipped with ambulifts under the Accessible India campaign.