Disability Advice
Access to Air Travel | Special Travel Assistance | Car Parking for PRM | Facilities for PRM | Other Facilities | Airport Disability Contact
Access to Air Travel
Exeter International Airport is working in accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 which concerns the rights of Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) when Travelling by Air and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Your Rights to Fly which covers the following areas:
Before you travel
Arriving at the airport
Checking in
Moving through the airport
Boarding the flight
On board
Leaving the plane
The regulations are also explained in the Rights for PRM video.
Special Travel Assistance and PRM guidelines
A Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) should inform the airport of Special Travel Assistance requirements 48 hours prior to the day of departure. The airline or holiday company may make arrangements at the time of the booking on behalf of the passenger or the airport’s Passenger Services Department may be contacted directly (see: Airport Disability Contact). Where no notification is given prior to the day of departure the airport will make all best endeavours to cater for the needs of the PRM.
Special Travel Assistance from trained staff will be made available from the point of arrival at the airport.
PRM and Blue Badge holders who arrive at the airport by car, requiring assistance, should make contact with the car park Customer Service office by using the call button at the car park entry barrier. The request for assistance will be forwarded to airport Passenger Services staff who will make arrangements to transfer the PRM passenger to the terminal. (see: Car Parking Procedures for People with Reduced Mobility).
A Help Point for passengers who have made their way into the terminal is situated at the Information Desk in the check-in hall.
Departing passengers requiring Special Travel Assistance should attend the appropriate check-in desk before the minimum check-in time, as stipulated by the airline or holiday company, with the appropriate travel documents.
Special Travel Assistance questions, based on the ABTA Checklist for Disabled Travellers, will be asked at the time of the booking or at check-in. The answers to these questions will ensure that passengers receive the service that they need and that the airport’s disability facilities (e.g. Ambulift) are made available for boarding the aircraft. Check-in staff should be advised of the need for wheelchair carriage and arrangements will be made for electric wheelchair battery isolation.
Special Travel Assistance seats for those awaiting assistance are situated prior to the Departure Channel.
A departing PRM using a wheelchair and travelling without an aide will be assisted to the Security Search Area and on to the Boarding Gate Area in preparation for boarding. If required, further assistance will be available before boarding the aircraft.
Passengers with hearing difficulties should inform check-in staff that they may need assistance. In the event of an emergency these passengers will be guided by airport staff to an assembly point.
Passengers must be aware of airline and current DfT Hand Baggage restrictions. Essential medical items for the flight may only be taken into the aircraft cabin if the passenger presents a letter from a doctor confirming the requirement to staff at the Security Search Area.
Large amounts of medication should be placed in Hold Baggage unless the passenger presents a letter from a doctor confirming a requirement during the flight, to staff at the Security Search Area.
A PRM will be given the required assistance by airport staff to enable them to board the aircraft and to be seated on the aircraft
Inbound PRM passengers using a wheelchair will be met at the aircraft and taken into the terminal building. Passengers will be reunited with their own wheelchair in the baggage collection area. Further assistance will be offered to get PRM passengers to their point of departure from the airport.
Airport PRM Compliance with Statutory Regulations and Operating Procedures
Car Parking for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)
PRM and Blue Badge holders may wish to use the appropriate Short Stay designated bays in Car Park 1 for the unloading of baggage, before re-parking in a Long Stay car park.
Long Stay parking reservations should be made with the On-line booking system: or the Call Centre telephone booking service: 0845 050 7080 (option 1).
PRM passengers who are not Blue Badge holders will be advised to use parking bays adjacent to the car park Shuttle Bus Shelters in Car Park 3.
The car park Shuttle Bus will transfer passengers from the Shuttle Bus Shelters to the Terminal and back to the Shuttle Bus Shelter upon return.
Blue Badge holders or the assisting registered carer may use the Long Stay designated parking bays in Car Park 2 where standard tariff rates and advance booking discounts apply. Registered Carers are requested to produce proof of Attendance or Carer's Allowance.
Facilities for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM)
Airport wheelchairs are available for PRM passengers in the Arrivals and Departures buildings but a member of airport staff must be notified before use.
Tactile drop-curbs and road-crossing points are clearly marked on routes from all car parks.
Ramped access for wheelchair users is available into and from the terminal, both airside and landside.
Electronic sensors activate doors to the Main Terminal Building and the Arrivals Building.
The Information Desk in the main terminal has been designed with a low-level counter for use by those in a wheelchair.
Ambulift hydraulic lift vehicles are available to carry passengers who cannot use the aircraft steps.
Low loading ramped airside coaches are available for passenger transfer to and from the aircraft.
Special toilets with disabled facilities are provided in the Main Concourse, Departure Lounge, Boarding Gate Area and the Arrivals Terminal. Emergency call cords are provided in the cubicles.
Other Facilities for Disabled Passengers
Way-finding signs using yellow lettering on a black background, together with illustrated pictograms give directions to main areas of the airport.
Braille instruction cards are available at check-in and the Security Search Area for those with a visual handicap.
Amplified hearing loops for hard-of-hearing passengers will be made available at the Information desks in the Main Departure Terminal and in the Arrivals Building upon completion of the extension work.
Leaflet racks for airport and tourism information are situated at wheelchair-user eye level in the Arrival and Departure areas.
The airport’s website has the facility to enlarge text for the visually impaired.
Provision will be made to handle Assistance Dogs in the future at which time the airline must be informed of the requirement at the time of booking.
Airport Disability Contact
The Passenger Services Department may be
contacted directly:
tel: 01392 367 433 (option 8) email: Passenger Services