ICAO, IATA, and ACI’s Joint Efforts Focus on Making Air Travel Accessible for Passengers with Disabilities

Published on October 29, 2024

The upcoming Symposium on Accessibility in International Civil Aviation, scheduled for December 2-3, 2024, at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, will address the challenges that travelers with disabilities or limited mobility encounter in air transport. Hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the event will bring together government officials, industry experts, and advocacy groups to advance accessibility in global aviation.

Themed “Inclusive and Universally Accessible Air Transport for Persons with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility,” the symposium will serve as a platform for representatives from governmental bodies, international organizations, industry stakeholders, and advocacy groups to explore solutions for a more accessible air travel experience.

The agenda will cover critical topics, such as:

• Personal accounts from passengers with disabilities
• Architectural, technological, and informational barriers in air travel
• Global accessibility frameworks and policy development
• Collaboration for consistent standards and best practices
• Leveraging design and technology for accessibility enhancements
• Mobility solutions within air transport

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability, constituting approximately 16% of the global population. As populations age, this figure is anticipated to rise, intensifying the need for accessible travel options.

“Universally coordinated and accessible air transport can only be achieved through close collaboration along the aviation value chain. ICAO is heightening cooperation with IATA and ACI on this priority, because it is only by showing governments and operators how to work together that we can successfully tackle existing barriers in air travel,” said Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO’s Secretary General.

“ACI is committed to helping our member airports enable barrier-free environments that provide equal access and outstanding travel experiences for all guests, regardless of ability. This symposium will bring together aviation stakeholders from across the ecosystem to engage in meaningful dialogue to identify actionable steps toward creating a more accessible air transport system,” said Justin Erbacci, ACI World’s Director General. 

“Airlines want to ensure safe, reliable, and dignified travel for every passenger, including those with disabilities. To deliver this, airlines, airports and the disability community must work together. On top of this, national regulatory frameworks for passengers with disabilities must support successful service delivery no matter where a journey begins or ends. Coordination among all these players is the key to empowering passengers with disabilities to travel with confidence. We have high expectations that this event will move us towards that goal,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Governments and industry leaders alike are committed to enhancing accessibility in air travel. However, current regulations often focus on regional solutions, highlighting a need for a unified global framework. Establishing consistent, international accessibility standards will be essential to creating a seamless travel experience for all passengers.

Aligned with the 2024 ICAO Year of Facilitation, this symposium aims to generate valuable insights to guide accessibility discussions among ICAO’s 193 Member States at the 2025 ICAO Assembly. This event also coincides with ICAO’s celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, symbolizing a renewed commitment to inclusive aviation that serves every global citizen.