Easier flights for passengers with hidden disabilities

Atlantic Airways has adopted a new method for helping passengers who may need additional assistance at airports and during flights.

The hidden disabilities sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for hidden disabilities such as autism, chronic pain, learning difficulties, mental health conditions, mobility issues, speech impairment, blindness and deafness.

The hidden disabilities sunflower initiative dates back to 2016 when staff at London's Gatwick Airport started looking at ways to improve their service to people with non-visible disabilities.

Sólblómuband

Caption: 

Hidden disability sunflower lanyards are available at the Atlantic Airways office and the check-in desks at Vágar Airport. The airline is keen to point out that the lanyards will be given without any questions asked

They came up with a discreet way to make the invisible visible: by offering passengers to wear a green lanyard with a yellow sunflower around their necks, the passengers could discreetly indicate that they may need some support, assistance or a little more time when moving through the airport.

“The primary objective is to make the flight as safe and stress-free as possible for passengers with hidden disabilities,” says Kristina Fossaberg, Atlantic Airways’ head of sales and marketing.

“Now all our airport and flight staff can easily identify people who may require some extra assistance.”

Staff are fully trained

All Atlantic staff who are in direct contact with passengers have been trained to ensure they are fully informed about how to assist people wearing a hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard.

“Travelling with lots of other people in unfamiliar environments can be an incredibly stressful experience for people with hidden disabilities, says Stine Ringvig Marsal, the Nordic regional director at the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by Prosa.fo.

More Faroese News in English.