Kazakhstan’s aviation completes iPADIS ACCEPT programme to aid passengers with reduced mobility

• Ex-ICAO President, Aliu lauds initiative

The Founding President of International Partners for Aviation Development Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS) and former President of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu has commended the exemplary efforts of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) for its commitment to support initiatives to ensure safe, accessible and pleasant air travel for all persons with reduced mobility.

Now that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a Senior Special Assistant on persons with disabilities, the Nigerian aviation sector could also begin to focus on improving accessibility in air travel for people with disability passing through the nation’s airports.

This is coming as the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan completed the Ipadis Accessibility Evaluation and Promotion for Air Travel and Tourism (ACCEPT) Programme.

According to Aliu, “With an ageing population and a growing market of air travellers with disabilities, addressing accessibility is not only a matter of social importance but also an economic imperative.”

“This collaborative effort with the AAK to promote accessible air travel in Kazakhstan is timely as the world marks two very important milestones: International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, and International Civil Aviation Day on December 7, 2023

The AAK in keeping with its long-standing commitment to improve air transport services to passengers with reduced mobility and enhance the state’s regulatory framework has to announce the successful completion of the Accessibility Evaluation and Promotion for Air Travel and Tourism (ACCEPT) programme, in partnership with the International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS).

The aim of this initiative carried out within the context of the memorandum of cooperation between the AAK and iPADIS, was to review existing state legislation, industry processes, procedures and training programmes, as well as to provide information and recommendations on measures to improve air travel accessibility for persons with disabilities, consistent with global operational standards, guidelines and best practices.

The ACCEPT programme was implemented in close collaboration with the AAK Department of Facilitation, Passenger and Cargo Services, which was tasked with the oversight of State structures responsible for the provision of services to air passengers.

It is worth noting that Facilitation is an important area that includes requirements for the unimpeded movement of passengers with reduced mobility.

The results of the ACCEPT programme analysis, presented in the form of an information service, will help us to improve the internal regulatory framework and ensure flight safety while improving the quality of service for passengers with reduced mobility at airports across the country,” said General Director of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, Catalin Radu.

“The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan wishes to thank iPADIS for their diligent cooperation and support and looks forward to implementing all measures to bring our industry to world standards and to become a model for the region”, Radu added.

Wole Shadare