Our Experts Convene at Istanbul Airport for Milestone INCLAVI Project Meeting

Representatives from eight partner organizations across five European countries gathered at Istanbul Airport this week for a pivotal meeting of the INCLAVI (Inclusive Aviation) consortium, marking a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to transform air travel accessibility. The ERASMUS+ funded initiative brings together universities, vocational schools, and aviation industry leaders with the shared ambition of eliminating barriers for the more than 100 million Europeans living with disabilities.

By Martti Asikainen, 26/10/2022

The INCLAVI (Inclusive Aviation) project, a groundbreaking initiative to improve air travel accessibility for passengers with disabilities, held its official kick-off meeting at Istanbul Airport this week, bringing together partners from five countries under the umbrella of the European Commission’s ERASMUS+ program.

The project, which began as a concept at Finland’s Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in 2018, has evolved into a powerful consortium of industry leaders, universities, and vocational schools united by a single mission: making the European Commission’s vision of accessible travel a reality.

“What we’ve witnessed at Istanbul Airport today demonstrates how much can be achieved in a relatively short time,” said Namrata Sethi, INCLAVI Project Manager. “The best practices already implemented here provide an excellent foundation for our work going forward.”

The INCLAVI initiative specifically targets skills gaps within the aviation industry that impact the freedom of movement for travelers with disabilities. Through specialized training programs and industry cooperation, the project aims to transform how airports and airlines serve passengers with special needs.

The kick-off event featured demonstrations of accessibility features at Istanbul Airport, which has invested significantly in creating an inclusive travel environment. Participants celebrated these achievements while mapping out ambitious plans for the three-year project.

With eight partner organizations now formally engaged, INCLAVI has entered its implementation phase. The consortium will develop specialized training curricula, conduct research on passenger experiences, and create resources for aviation industry personnel.

For more information about the INCLAVI project and its progress, interested parties can follow the initiative on social media and through partner websites.

Inclusive Aviation (INCLAVI)
2022-2025