Muscat; Airlines are facing a key issue these days a huge increase in wheelchair assistance requests by passengers who would not normally need assistance.
Major airlines have reported that the increase in assistance requests at airports is significant and continues to grow yearly with increases of 30% in bigger airports.
The requests are more prevalent in certain geographies like flights to India, UAE, the US, and Europe, the survey by IATA said.
Several ground staff sources in the airline industry, including in Muscat, have also confirmed to Observer that multiple wheelchair requests from the same flights or others during peak hours pose serious problems in terms of logistics, especially when it comes to assisting passengers with more pressing needs.
"Many assistance requests may come from passengers who do not have disabilities but who do not feel confident navigating their way through a busy airport, or people who simply need directional assistance for whatever reason including age, " the airline said.
This growing number of wheelchair assistance requests as a way to navigate airports is not sustainable for airports and airlines.
At present no regulation mandates the use of wheelchairs as the sole methodology to support passengers in need.
IATA has urged state regulators to encourage airports and assistance services providers to look at more sustainable solutions to address this issue.
The managing body of the airport is ultimately responsible for the provision of the assistance service and should therefore make all reasonable efforts to provide it in such a way that the individual can arrive at their departure gate on time and without undue delay.
Asking passengers to pre-notify the airline of any assistance requirements at the time of the booking will be very useful in ensuring the industry can provide a good service, IATA said.
According to Oman Airports, passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) who who need wheelchair service inside the airport are required to notify their airline in advance or during the booking, to ensure a hassle-free journey.
The airport also offers assistance to passengers with wheelchairs. To benefit from this service, passengers are required to proceed to the ‘Passengers with reduced Mobility’ office which is signposted in the departures area at the forecourt.
The ground handlers will assist the passenger throughout the process; starting from the check-in until boarding the aircraft through a dedicated path and immigration counter for these passengers to speed up the immigration process and make their journey pleasant.
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