Aviation Regulator publishes airport accessibility reports

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has published its findings for Irish airports’ compliance with the rights of persons with reduced mobility and disabilities when travelling by air. The IAA investigates complaints, conducts inspections and has continuous oversight of Irish airports.  The IAA’s findings for 2024 are detailed for each of the six international commercial airports operating in Ireland.

For 2024, the IAA issued ten findings across the six airports. These findings have been addressed by the airports and corrective action plans have been put in place.

Key findings and corrective actions for airports:

• Improved wayfinding signage required in the airports to aid passengers in accessing PRM services and facilities.
• Car park call points, which enable passengers to request assistance, required maintenance to ensure all call points are in working order.
• Ensure that disability awareness training is comprehensive and to a high standard.

Clare Mulcahy, Head of Consumer Affairs at the Irish Aviation Authority commented on the reports:

“The IAA publishes these accessibility reports to show the airports’ compliance with accessibility regulation. Ensuring that airports and airlines are accessible and provide assistance to travellers is a key component in the IAA’s consumer protection work for passengers with assistance needs. The IAA continue to work with the aviation industry and stakeholders to improve accessibility and reduce barriers to travel for all.

The Airport Accessibility Reports highlight the work that IAA undertakes in monitoring airports with their obligations in assistance to passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. The annual publication is a key component to hold the industry accountable and the IAA’s obligation to work with stakeholders.”

The IAA monitors the airports to ensure that assistance is provided to passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities. The assistance is free of charge to the passenger and should be provided in a manner which ensures people with disabilities and reduced mobility can travel.

The IAA has published the six reports (one for each airport) for 2024 with analysis of the airport’s obligations. The IAA found areas for improvement in each of the airports and continues to engage with the airports to ensure the rights of persons of reduced mobility and disabilities are upheld in air travel.

The reports are available in PDF format here.