Study Identifies Barriers and Solutions for Air Passengers with Accessibility Needs

A new systematic review has identified key challenges faced by air passengers with specific access requirements and proposed practical solutions to improve their travel experience.

The research, conducted by INCLAVI consortium member partners Luis Martín-Domingo and colleagues, analyzed 50 peer-reviewed articles to better understand the obstacles encountered by passengers with disabilities (PwDs) or reduced mobility (PRMs) when navigating air travel.

The study expanded on established barrier categories—architectural, transport, communication, attitudinal, and technological—while introducing novel sub-groups within each category to provide a more nuanced understanding of accessibility challenges.

Researchers identified five primary solutions to overcome these barriers:

• Implementing stronger legal obligations and standard procedures
• Improving airport facilities and services
• Digitalizing operations and services
• Enhancing cabin safety and accessibility
• Providing specialized training for airport and airline staff

The authors emphasize that improving air travel accessibility requires collaborative efforts from multiple stakeholders across the aviation industry.

“This study highlights the importance of gaining a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by passengers with disabilities,” noted the researchers, calling for more inclusive approaches to air travel design and service.

The full research paper, titled “Existing barriers and suggested solutions for dealing with air passengers with specific access requirements: A systematic literature review,” is available in the journal Research in Transportation Business & Management.

The complete research paper, published in Research in Transportation Business & Management in March 2024, is available on ScienceDirect, and you access it via this link.