Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport have become the first airports in the world to be recognised as Age Friendly airports by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport are leading the way in becoming the first airports in the world to be recognised as Age Friendly airports by the World health Organisation (WHO). With the ageing demographic, the need for Age Friendly Airports is essential. To become recognised as Age Friendly Airports, Shannon and Ireland West Airport consulted extensively with their older customers. This included carrying out ‘walkability audits’ of the buildings and their environs. In their report, the walkability audit teams found Shannon “a very easy international airport to navigate” with an “excellent PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) service being offered free of charge.” The team also commended the airport staff for their friendly and helpful approach as well as facilities such as the airport’s dedicated mobility desk, sensory room, even and non-slip flooring, ample seating to rest and seating for wheelchair users. New features installed in Shannon airport because of this process included designated age-friendly parking, better signage, and covered walkways from aircraft and car parking into the terminal. Shannon is home to Europe’s first airport sensory room for passengers of all ages with sensory and neurodevelopmental needs. It has also recently introduced a new high-tech scanning system which removes the 100ml only rule for liquids carried in cabin bags. As a result of this the time passengers spend in the airport’s security screening area has been halved. Ireland West Airport installed extra seating in its arrivals and departures area, a new adult and disability changing facility, new way finding signage, covered boarding steps, dedicated seating areas in Departures, upgraded handling equipment and delivered staff training. With these two airports now recognised as Age Friendly, Ireland is very much open for business for older people across the world to come here and sample Ireland’s wonderful tourism offerings, hospitality, adventure, and culture. View the Ireland West Airport Knock ceremony on You Tube.