EDINBURGH AIRPORT UPDATE

Most people with a spinal cord Injury have a fear when it comes to air travel. The concerns begin from as soon as we leave the house until we arrive at our destination

Spinal Injuries Scotland and other Disabled Lead Organisations (DPOs) are working closely with Edinburgh Airport to raise awareness of our needs. Off the back of this Constative Committee and the feedback that we received from members, there have been several improvements and changes to the airports procedures for those travelling with disabilities.

Passenger Assistance is available to all levels of disability at airports. The purpose of it is to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Edinburgh Airport has put a lot of investment into Passenger Assistance to ensure that this happens. This service can help you on all or part of your journey through the airport.

Sunflower Lanyard

Edinburgh Airport has introduced the Sunflower Lanyard which acts as a sign the customer has a disability and may need additional support without having to say so or explain themself. This is organised through Passenger Assistance If you want more information about this, please contact Spinal Injuries Scotland.

Additional Needs Team

To help improve the service Edinburgh Airport provides passengers with complex additional needs or hidden disabilities, a new Additional Needs team has been launched. This new team will help deliver a one-to-one service to passengers on the autism spectrum or with complex additional needs. They will also support passengers who have a hidden disability by providing access to arrange of resources either online or by post.

The PEM team has played an invaluable role in allowing the airport to provide this service to their passengers in the past, but with a 100% growth in passengers accessing this service and being awarded the Autism Friendly award, they knew they needed a dedicated team to help meet increasing demands.

The new team consists of Valerie Sinclair, Dougie Morgan, Steven Archibald (L-R in photo) and Linda Reape who have all been seconded from the Security team and have a wealth of knowledge of hidden disabilities. They are based at the modular building (next to ASU) and will wear a new Additional Needs Team uniform

Help Points

As part of improving the Special Assistance facilities the airport has upgraded 17 help points which will make contacting the Special Assistance Team easier. The improved help points are now signposted more clearly with maps, and information to the nearest toilet or Special Assistance reception. They now also have a hearing loop functionality for hearing impaired passengers, improved sound quality and video technology so we can see the passengers requiring assistance. You will spot the help points not only by the signage, but the bright blue seats located next to them.

Fetchyfox App

Edinburgh Airport recently launched a Food & Beverage service to all Special Assistance passengers who use our airside reception. Passengers can use the FetchyFox App to order and pay for their order from The Gathering deli, Bar Burrito, Yo Sushi and Krispy Crème which will be collected and brought to the reception for them.