Specialist ramps which improve aircraft accessibility will be imminently rolled out by Aurigny at London Gatwick and Southampton.
Aviramps are now available at those airports for embarkation and disembarkation of the States-owned airline’s fleet of ATR aircraft, as well as at Guernsey Airport.
The ramps were purchased as part of a partnership between Aurigny and Guernsey Ports at a cost of £300,000, which also included widening seats within the aircraft.
Aurigny says the ramps will make travel easier for all passengers to its lifeline airports and the 6,000 customers who request additional assistance annually.
It added that use of the ramps locally has cut four minutes off rotation times on average.
The airline is also investigating a similar solution for the Twin Otter aircraft which will soon serve Alderney following the decision to junk the Dorniers which have been used on the route for several years.
Dave Cox, Deputy Chief Operations Officer at Aurigny, said the changes would make boarding more dignified for everyone.
“I’m pleased to confirm a lot more will benefit from the technology very soon. As an industry, we still have more to do to make air travel more accessible, but it’s good to be able to reflect on the progress being made today.”
Guernsey Ports Airport Director, Richard Thomasson, added: “This further investment by Aurigny at Southampton and Gatwick means those benefits will soon be enjoyed by passengers at every stage of their journey, both to and from the island, and we very much welcome this initiative by the airline”.
Graham Corfield, Aviramp Chief Executive, commended the airline for sharing “our vision for a world where aviation is accessible for all”.
