Disability Advice

Access to Air Travel | Special Travel Assistance | Disability Car Parking |  Reduced Mobility Facilities  | Other Disability Facilities

Access to Air Travel

Exeter 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.  The regulations are also explained in the Rights for PRM video.

Exeter Airport's Compliance with Statutory Regulations and Operating Procedures for Persons with Reduced Mobility document may also be viewed.

Special Travel Assistance

• Special Travel Assistance arrangements may be made at the time of booking with the travel company or no less than 48 hours prior to the day of departure with the airline. e.g:

  • Flybe/assistance (prefix BE...) 
    01392 268 500 
    specialassistance@flybe.com
  • Thomson/First Choice/disabled-passengers (prefix TOM...)
    0844 871 1600
  • Thomas Cook/special-assistance (prefix TCX...)
    0844 855 0515
    
  • Alternatively, the airport's Passenger Services Department should be notified of any late requirements
    01392 367 433 (option 8)
    

• Where no Special Travel Assistance 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 can be made available from the point of arrival at the airport and from the inbound aircraft..

• People with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and Blue Badge holders who arrive at the airport by car, and require assistance, should make contact with the car park Customer Service office by using the Call Button at the car park entry barrier (If unable to reach call button - flash headlights to attract the attention on CCTV). 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 the airport’s disability facilities (e.g. Ambulift) are made available for boarding the aircraft. Check-in staff should be advised of any 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 Special Travel Assistance passengers 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 the requirement for carriage in Hand Baggage, at the Security Search Area.

• Special Travel Assistance passengers will be given the required assistance by airport staff to enable them to board the aircraft and to be seated.
  

• Inbound Special Travel Assistance passengers will be met at the aircraft and taken into the terminal building.  Passengers will be reunited with their baggage and wheelchair. Further assistance will be offered to get Special Travel Assistance passengers to their point of departure from the airport.
  

Disability Car Parking

• Blue Badge holders, Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM), and drivers collecting a person with mobility problems may use the Disability Bays in Car Park 1 for drop-off or pick-up. 
  

• At one of the Car Park 1 entry barriers use the call (telephone) button, Passenger Assistance Point, to notify staff of the requirement for assistance and/or to request a free period.
  If unable to reach call button - please use Car Park 2 where Customer Service staff will assist.
  

• At exit barrier display Blue Badge and use the call (telephone) button to notify staff that you wish to exit the car park.
  If unable to reach call button - please use Car Park 2 where Customer Service staff will assist.
  

• Passengers booked into a Long Stay car park may use Car Park 1 for the unloading/loading of baggage free of charge. The request for a free period may be made by using the call (telephone) button.
  

• Blue Badge holders may use the Long Stay Car Park 2 disability parking bays close to the terminal but these cannot be allocated at the time of booking.  Reservations should be made on-line or with the telephone booking service and the standard (Car Park 3 or 4) tariff rates and advance booking discounts will apply. 
  
• On arrival at the airport Blue Badge holders or the assisting registered carer may use Car Park 2. (Registered Carers are requested to produce proof of Attendance or Carer's Allowance.)
• At the Car Park 2 entrance barrier, the driver should use the call button (Passenger Assistance Point) to notify staff of the need for a space and any requirement for assistance.
• The driver will be asked to take an entry ticket and advised that the ticket will need to be validated before exit.
  
• Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) who are not Blue Badge holders, may be advised to use parking bays in Car Park 3 adjacent to the car park shuttle bus shelters. The car park shuttle bus will transfer passengers to/from the terminal.
  

Reduced Mobility Facilities

• Airport wheelchairs are available for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) 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 Disability Facilities

• 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 desk in the Main Departure Terminal.

• 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 and the airline must be informed of the requirement at the time of booking.