Quantcast

Aviation bodies collaborate on symposium addressing accessibility challenges

Routes 360 Headlines: Key Stories Of The Week (W/C October 20, 2025)
LATAM CEO: New Aircraft Mean New Routes, Engine Woes Remain A Concern
Boeing wins FAA approval to hike 737 MAX production to 42 planes per month
IATA Highlights Critical Priorities for Aviation Safety and Operations
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
United Airlines lifts brief ground stop after tech issue prompts FAA halt
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
Aviation bodies collaborate on symposium addressing accessibility challenges
Research
Webp 6t26ofgkhlejd7xvxygmurcv2fk4
Marie Owens Thomsen Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist | International Air Transport Association - IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Airports Council International (ACI) are set to jointly host a symposium focusing on accessibility in international civil aviation. This event aims to address various aspects of air travel accessibility, including architectural, technological, and informational barriers.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability, which accounts for approximately 16% of the global population. As populations age, this percentage is expected to rise. Both governments and industry players have shown a commitment to enhancing accessible air transport for passengers with disabilities. However, significant progress requires a shift towards a cohesive global framework rather than individual jurisdictional regulations.

Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO’s Secretary General, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “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 as one that we will successfully tackle existing barriers in air travel.”

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, stated: “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.”

Justin Erbacci from ACI World added: “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 is organized as part of the 2024 ICAO Year of Facilitation. It aims to generate new expertise in improving air travel experiences for individuals with disabilities and inform discussions among ICAO’s 193 Member States at their upcoming assembly in 2025.

The event will also feature an exhibition showcasing practical solutions for accessibility in aviation. Registration is open to stakeholders such as border control authorities, airport operators, advocacy groups, and interested parties from all Member States.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

American Airlines has established itself as the world's largest airline by number of hubs, operating ten across the United States.

Oct 24, 2025

The Boeing TC-135W, a specialized training aircraft derived from the C-135/RC-135 reconnaissance family, continues to serve the United States Air Force (USAF) and its allies decades after many similar jets have been retired.

Oct 24, 2025

Frontier Airlines has started serving three airports in Virginia for the first time, with its inaugural flight to Richmond from Atlanta on October 17.

Oct 24, 2025

When Russia closed its airspace to airlines from countries aligned with the West following the war in Ukraine, airlines had to find new routes.

Oct 24, 2025

Jet engine manufacturer GE Aerospace reported a significant increase in profits for the third quarter of 2025, driven by strong demand for its commercial jet engines and related services.

Oct 24, 2025

For over thirty years, United Airlines has relied on the Boeing 757 as a key aircraft for its transatlantic routes.

Oct 24, 2025