More Accessible Air Travel – Careeria Participating in Inclavi Project to Promote Accessibility and Inclusivity

PORVOO, Finland (February 6, 2024) – Finnish education provider Careeria has partnered with Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences to spearhead the Inclusive Aviation (Inclavi) project, an ambitious European initiative set to transform accessibility standards across the aviation industry.

The project brings together a consortium of five European educational institutions and expert organizations with a shared mission: making air travel truly accessible for passengers with disabilities and special needs.

“Our goal is to create a travel experience where everyone feels respected and included, regardless of their mobility, hearing, visual or cognitive limitations,” explains Laura Viitanen, Careeria’s representative in the project. “It’s about dignity and inclusion at every stage of the journey.”

Comprehensive research conducted throughout 2023 revealed significant gaps in current aviation industry practices. Through expert interviews, surveys, and literature reviews, the project identified a pressing need for practical, regularly updated training programs that incorporate real-world scenarios and involve people with lived experiences of disability.

In response, the Inclavi team is developing an innovative e-learning platform specifically designed for airline staff and aviation professionals. The training materials, scheduled for completion in 2024, will equip personnel with the skills and knowledge needed to better serve passengers with diverse needs.

Careeria, the only secondary vocational education institution in the consortium, brings valuable practical insights to the project. “We’re already seeing benefits for our tourism students,” Viitanen notes. “They’ll be among the first to pilot the new training materials, giving tomorrow’s aviation professionals a head start in delivering truly inclusive service.”

The €450,000 project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, has attracted significant industry support. Partners include Finavia (Finland’s airport operator), AirBaltic, Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT).

As air travel continues to recover from pandemic disruptions, the Inclavi project represents a timely opportunity to rebuild with inclusion at its core. The initiative aligns with broader European efforts to strengthen accessibility rights and follows recent EU legislation enhancing protections for passengers with disabilities.

For more information about the Inclavi project, visit www.inclavi.eu.

Contact: Laura Viitanen, Project Coordinator Careeria laura.viitanen@careeria.fi +358 40 480 9685