UK passengers MISSING flights after being forced to walk almost a MILE to airport gate
ELDERLY travellers with walking difficulties aren’t getting the assistance they need to get to their airport gate.
Passengers who need assistance walking are at risk of missing flights
They’re at risk of missing flights because of distances almost a mile long between check-in and departure gates.
The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has revealed many elderly passengers who need help ask for it when they arrive at the airport, but this is sometimes too late.
London’s Stansted has one of the longest distances in the country, at 3822ft between check-in or special assistance desks and departure.
London Luton comes in next at 2,952ft followed by Manchester (2,697ft) and London Gatwick (2,559ft).
London Stansted Airport tops the UK list of lengthy walks from check-in to departure gate
Woman locked in Birmingham Airport Boots, almost misses flight
Glasgow Airport also requires a hike at 2,461ft, as do Edinburgh (2280ft) and Birmingham (1,739ft).
Abta has warned elderly or disabled passengers to give a minimum of two days notice before they travel.
Director of destinations and sustainability Nikki White said: “The travel industry is committed to making holidays and other travel arrangements accessible for everyone.
“For most, travelling through airports is a fairly straightforward process, but for those who may find walking longer distances harder to manage, larger airports can present a challenge.
“We would encourage anyone who may need assistance to inform their tour operator or airline no later than 48 hours before they travel so that their journey through the airport will be as comfortable as possible and they will be able to board their flight with plenty of time to spare.”
Abta said people who need crutches or wheelchairs are generally highly aware about informing airlines well in advance.
It’s encouraged other passengers who may still need some form of assistance to plan ahead also.
Otherwise they’ll face struggling on foot and risk missing their flights.
Passengers are being forced to walk up to 3,822ft to get to their departure gate
It’s not the only risk airline passengers are exposed to at the airport.
Many travellers wait to exchange money there, where the wealth of currency converters make this a convenient move.
The CEO of currency exchange service WeSwap said it can be misleading because the actual exchange rate can vary hugely between bureaus.
Jared Jesner explained: “Often these bureaus will raise the base currency exchange rate - called the interbank rate - and also add additional fees for making the exchange. Even without the additional fees customers are often paying a manipulated currency exchange rate.”