Airport improves accessibility

SUMBURGH Airport has been commended for improving its service for disabled and mobility restricted passengers over the last year.

The airport failed to meet the ‘good’ criteria from the Civil Aviation Authority last year when it came to accessibility.

But a follow-on report released a year on confirms that Sumburgh is now deemed ‘good’, putting it alongside the likes of Edinburgh and Gatwick.

Airport operator HIAL previously said that last year’s rank was down to it failing to properly publicise its work in improving accessibility.

Airports are judged on areas like waiting times for assistance, customer satisfaction and consultations with disability organisations.

Sumburgh’s interim airport manager Lesley Still said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for the improvements we have taken to improve accessibility, which was always planned as part of our £6.5million refurbishment which was officially opened early this year.

“We are already taking further steps to improve accessibility by improving our waiting area and changing over signs for our disabled toilets.”

Thirty airports in total were assessed, with 20 ranked as ‘good’ and six rated as ‘very good’.