Inverness Airport sees access rating slip

INVERNESS Airport has seen a slip in its rating for access for disabled travellers, from “very good” to “good”.

The latest accessibility report from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) put the Highland airport’s dip from the highest rating down to a lack in consultation with the local disabled community.

Inverness was among a group of airports which the CAA said provided “a good service with short waiting times for passengers and high quality service from staff, but they lacked the range and regularity of their consultation groups to get a very good rating.

“These airports had previously engaged well with their local disability community and it was disappointing this good work was not built on during the 2018/19 reporting year.

“It is not acceptable to rely on previous activity – airports should maintain regular contact with the network of disability groups they have established.”

Inverness was one of four airports, along with London Luton, London Southend and Cardiff, which the CAA said it expected more from next year in this respect.

However, there was better news for two other airports in the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) group. Kirkwall and Sumburgh both received a very good rating for their ability to overcome the challenges faced by disabled access on the smaller aircraft operating on their routes, and for regular consultation with the disabled community.

CCA consumers and markets director Paul Smith said: “While it is good to see the general improvements, airports will need to continue to work hard to improve, so that they are able to meet the more demanding performance standards that we have now introduced.”

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