Latest news with #SelinaChadha
STV News
10 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Two Scottish airports told to improve services for disabled passengers
Two Scottish airports have been ordered to improve their services offered to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. A report by the UK's aviation regulator, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, found that Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport failed to meet the standards required. Across UK airports, 5.5 million passengers requested assistance in 2024, representing 1.9% of total passengers. Under the framework, airports are assessed on waiting time for arriving and departing passengers, a survey of users of the assistance service, and the findings of a consultation with disabled individuals and organisations. Edinburgh Airport was found to be below the performance standard for the waiting time for arriving passengers. The airport was said to have suffered from operational issues between December 2023 and June 2024 following a change of contract to a new service provider. The report added that its performance had improved following an investment in staffing and facilities and is routinely meeting a 'very good' standard. Glasgow Prestwick was found to have failed to meet the standards to consult with disabled groups and individuals, but has since committed to putting in place an Access Forum. Elsewhere in Scotland, Aberdeen Airport received a 'very good' rating while Glasgow Airport was ranked as 'good'. A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: 'As the CAA's report states, this rating was given to the airport during a particularly challenging time for our PRM operation, due to a change of provider, staff shortages, and a surge in demand for the service. 'We have increased our investment in the service to more than £6m and have worked closely with our provider to implement new and improved processes and oversight. These efforts have led to significant improvements, and our goal remains to return to and maintain a 'good' or 'very good' rating.' Selina Chadha, group director for consumers and markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added: 'We want disabled passengers and those with limited mobility to be confident when travelling through UK airports. Our mission is to protect people and enable aerospace and we believe that the entire industry should be behind the goal of making aviation accessible to all. 'It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Edinburgh and Prestwick criticised over airport disabled services
Two of Scotland's busiest airports have been criticised by the aviation regulator for services they provide to disabled Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport were both listed as needing improvement in a new report by the UK Civil Aviation across the UK were graded by the regulator and considered either very good, good or needing three airports in the whole UK were rated as needing improvement, with London Heathrow the other one. Edinburgh Airport - which has more than 15 million passengers a year - "did not meet the standards for the provision of assistance in a timely manner", according to the said the problems were "primarily due to operational issues caused by a change of contractor for its service provider".This happened earlier in 2024/25 but "now appears to be resolved."The report added Scotland's busiest airport was now providing a "very good" standard since the operational issues ended. Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which has more than 2 million passengers a year, was criticised for failing to meet the standards to consult with disabled groups and regulator added Prestwick had now committed to putting in place an access Chadha, group director for consumers and markets at the regulator, said: "It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. "With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve." 'Significant improvements' A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said the rating came during "a particularly challenging time for our PRM operation, due to a change of provider, staff shortages, and a surge in demand for the service."He added: "We have increased our investment in the service to more than £6m and have worked closely with our provider to implement new and improved processes and oversight. "These efforts have led to significant improvements, and our goal remains to return to and maintain a good or very good rating."A spokesperson for Glasgow Prestwick said the Ayrshire airport was working to address the issues from the said: "While we are naturally disappointed to have fallen in the ratings after maintaining top tier status for six consecutive reports."We want to reassure passengers that this rating does not reflect operational issues, or the quality of assistance delivered on the ground."The downgrade related to engagement with specific accessibility and disability groups which we recognise is an important part of continuous improvement."
Edinburgh Reporter
11 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Airport says accessibility assistance has improved
In a report issued today the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) declared that Edinburgh Airport 'needs improvement' in the way it offers assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. But the airport has replied that significant improvement has already been made. Edinburgh joins a list of three airports in this category along with London Heathrow and Glasgow Prestwick. The CAA said that last year 5.5 million passengers requested assistance at UK airports, approximately 1.9 percent of total passengers. This has increased from 0.94 percent in 2010, 1.35 percent in 2019 and 1.69 percent in 2023 when 4.6 million passengers requested assistance. The organisation sets out why Edinburgh fell short: 'Edinburgh – did not meet the standards for the provision of assistance in a timely manner, primarily due to operational issues caused by a change of contractor for its service provider earlier in the year, which now appears to be resolved.' A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said:'As the CAA's report states, this rating was given to the airport during a particularly challenging time for our Passengers with Reduced Mobility operation, due to a change of provider, staff shortages, and a surge in demand for the service. 'We have increased our investment in the service to more than £6 million and have worked closely with our provider to implement new and improved processes and oversight. These efforts have led to significant improvements, and our goal remains to return to and maintain a Good or Very Good rating.' Selina Chadha, Group Director for Consumers and Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: 'We want disabled passengers and those with limited mobility to be confident when travelling through UK airports. Our mission is to protect people and enable aerospace and we believe that entire industry should be behind the goal of making aviation accessible to all. 'It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve.' The CAA launched the Airport Accessibility Framework in 2014, clearly setting out a key set of standards for airports. This initiative has facilitated significant improvement in airport accessibility, including millions of pounds of investment in improved service and facilities in airports across the UK. Edinburgh Airport Picture Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Heathrow ‘needs improvement' in how disabled flyers are treated, regulator says
Heathrow 'needs improvement' in how it assists passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, a regulator has found. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which conducted the assessment, also gave the same rating to Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick airports. It said the three airports have 'clearly more to do' in their provision of additional support. Fourteen UK airports were rated as 'good' and 11 as 'very good'. None were rated 'poor'. CAA group director for consumers and markets Selina Chadha said disabled passengers and those with limited mobility should be able to be 'confident when travelling through UK airports'. She continued: 'Our mission is to protect people and enable aerospace, and we believe the entire industry should be behind the goal of making aviation accessible to all. 'It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. 'With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve.' Today, we've published our annual Airport Accessibility Report. It ranks the performance of UK airports on the assistance services they provide to disabled, and less mobile passengers. The majority of airports have been rated positively, but three airports need improvement 👇 — UK Civil Aviation Authority (@UK_CAA) June 25, 2025 Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, was found to have 'discrepancies' between its data on waiting times to provide assistance at Terminal 3, and what was observed happening, the CAA's report stated. The regulator added: 'Given these concerns, we cannot be assured that the waiting time standards were met at Terminal 3, and we do not consider that Heathrow is meeting the requirement for an airport to have robust processes in place for overseeing how it measures its performance.' The report is based on the year to the end of March. Heathrow's chief operating officer Javier Echave said the airport made 'significant strides in enhancing our assistance service' since the previous 12-month period. He went on: 'I want to reassure passengers that Heathrow has a strong plan in place. 'We are investing in new equipment, introducing designated security lanes, and expanding support to help passengers with assistance needs travel more independently. 'This 'needs improvement' rating provided by the CAA focuses on the administration of data recording in Terminal 3, based on audits which it conducted in late 2024, which we had addressed by the end of the reporting period. 'Apart from this specific matter, Heathrow has delivered demonstrable progress across all key service metrics.' The CAA said Edinburgh airport did not meet minimum standards for providing assistance in a 'timely manner', primarily because a change of contractor caused issues which 'now appear to be resolved'. A spokesman for the airport said it has invested more than £6 million in supporting passengers with reduced mobility, and has implemented 'new and improved processes and oversight' which have 'led to significant improvements'. Glasgow Prestwick failed to meet its obligation to consult with disabled groups and individuals, but has 'committed to putting in place an access forum', the CAA said. The airport was approached for a comment. The CAA said the number of passengers who requested assistance at UK airports increased from 4.6 million in 2023 to 5.5 million last year, representing 1.9% of all passengers. Christopher Snelling, policy director at industry body AirportsUK, said: 'Airports are continuing to have to adjust to these new higher levels of demand, so the generally good performance at this time is all the more pleasing. 'However, services can always be better, and airports will continue working with the CAA and accessibility groups over the next year and beyond to improve services even further.'
North Wales Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Heathrow ‘needs improvement' in how disabled flyers are treated, regulator says
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which conducted the assessment, also gave the same rating to Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick airports. It said the three airports have 'clearly more to do' in their provision of additional support. Fourteen UK airports were rated as 'good' and 11 as 'very good'. None were rated 'poor'. CAA group director for consumers and markets Selina Chadha said disabled passengers and those with limited mobility should be able to be 'confident when travelling through UK airports'. She continued: 'Our mission is to protect people and enable aerospace, and we believe the entire industry should be behind the goal of making aviation accessible to all. 'It is welcome that most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement. 'With demand for these services rising dramatically in recent years, all airports have a huge challenge ahead to ensure they continue to offer the assistance services their passengers deserve.' Today, we've published our annual Airport Accessibility Report. It ranks the performance of UK airports on the assistance services they provide to disabled, and less mobile passengers. The majority of airports have been rated positively, but three airports need improvement 👇 — UK Civil Aviation Authority (@UK_CAA) June 25, 2025 Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, was found to have 'discrepancies' between its data on waiting times to provide assistance at Terminal 3, and what was observed happening, the CAA's report stated. The regulator added: 'Given these concerns, we cannot be assured that the waiting time standards were met at Terminal 3, and we do not consider that Heathrow is meeting the requirement for an airport to have robust processes in place for overseeing how it measures its performance.' The report is based on the year to the end of March. Heathrow's chief operating officer Javier Echave said the airport made 'significant strides in enhancing our assistance service' since the previous 12-month period. He went on: 'I want to reassure passengers that Heathrow has a strong plan in place. 'We are investing in new equipment, introducing designated security lanes, and expanding support to help passengers with assistance needs travel more independently. 'This 'needs improvement' rating provided by the CAA focuses on the administration of data recording in Terminal 3, based on audits which it conducted in late 2024, which we had addressed by the end of the reporting period. 'Apart from this specific matter, Heathrow has delivered demonstrable progress across all key service metrics.' The CAA said Edinburgh airport did not meet minimum standards for providing assistance in a 'timely manner', primarily because a change of contractor caused issues which 'now appear to be resolved'. A spokesman for the airport said it has invested more than £6 million in supporting passengers with reduced mobility, and has implemented 'new and improved processes and oversight' which have 'led to significant improvements'. Glasgow Prestwick failed to meet its obligation to consult with disabled groups and individuals, but has 'committed to putting in place an access forum', the CAA said. The airport was approached for a comment. The CAA said the number of passengers who requested assistance at UK airports increased from 4.6 million in 2023 to 5.5 million last year, representing 1.9% of all passengers. Christopher Snelling, policy director at industry body AirportsUK, said: 'Airports are continuing to have to adjust to these new higher levels of demand, so the generally good performance at this time is all the more pleasing. 'However, services can always be better, and airports will continue working with the CAA and accessibility groups over the next year and beyond to improve services even further.'
