Breaking Barriers – Air Travel for Persons with Disabilities (Case of Kenya Airways)

Breaking Barriers in Air Travel for Persons with Disabilities

Air travel can be a daunting experience for individuals with visible and invisible disabilities. Navigating through airport protocols, managing documentation, and enduring multiple checks and counters can often be overwhelming. However, with the right services and assistance, airlines can ensure a smoother journey for all travelers.

Airlines Accessible to All

In the post-COVID-19 era, airlines have revisited their policies to prioritize safety and enhance accessibility. Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to travel with Kenya Airways and South African Airways, utilizing airport facilities in Kenya (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) and South Africa (Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport). Here’s a snapshot of my experiences and insights.

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Key Services for Travelers with Disabilities

For Visible Disabilities

• Ensure proper documentation is in place.
• Request assistance from check-in to seating on the aircraft.

For Invisible Disabilities

• Communicate specific needs to the airline in advance to facilitate necessary accommodations.

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Airport Experiences

Mauritius (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport)
As a smaller airport, the environment felt more personalized. Traveling in business class, I appreciated the cordial staff and fully accessible lounge facilities, which contributed to a stress-free and seamless experience.

Kenya (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)
Kenya Airways offers a range of services tailored for travelers with disabilities, including personal assisting agents.

• Arrival Experience: On my first arrival from Mauritius, there was a miscommunication, leaving me without assistance during my layover.
• Return Journey: The return flight from Cape Town via Johannesburg to Nairobi was far better. Kenya Airways ensured I had wheelchair assistance and a support agent from check-in through to the boarding gate, making the experience smooth and efficient.

Business class access to the lounge provided a refreshing break, with accessible restrooms and amenities that helped reduce travel stress.

South Africa (Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport)
One limitation I faced was restricted lounge access, available only three hours before boarding. This posed challenges in busy terminals with limited seating options that were not always disability-friendly.

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Aircraft Services

Kenya Airways and South African Airways both excelled in providing accessible services aboard their business-class cabins.

• Spacious seating and legroom ensured comfort and minimized physical strain.
• Kenya Airways went a step further by offering onboard wheelchairs, simplifying mobility during the flight and during embarkation/disembarkation.
• The cabin crews on both airlines were accommodating, addressing my accessibility concerns and making the journey more comfortable.

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Lessons Learned

Traveling as a person with a disability requires careful planning and choosing airlines equipped with inclusive services. My experiences reaffirmed the importance of traveling with carriers that value accessibility, such as Kenya Airways, South African Airways, and Air Mauritius.

Disability is not a limitation when services, infrastructure, and environments are designed to be inclusive. Accessible travel is not just a convenience—it is a right.

Final Thoughts

Information and communication play a pivotal role in ensuring equity and fairness in air travel. I am grateful for the dedication of ground staff and cabin crews across these airlines, who went above and beyond to assist and create a positive travel experience.

Author:
Soovan Sharma Dookhoo