If you’re traveling from Edinburgh airport for your summer holiday, you could be forgiven for being a touch apprehensive. Fortunately, much of this is unfounded; special assistance at Edinburgh Airport is designed to be relaxed and efficient.
Here are a few notes on special assistance at Edinburgh Airport…
Advance notice
To book assistance advise your airline or travel agent in advance – ideally, more than 14 days prior to departure or at the time of booking your flight. The minimum notice the airport advises you give your airline is 48 hours prior to departure. If you have been unable to book assistance they will make all reasonable efforts to assist you on the day. The reserved seating area/mobility assistance reception area is just outside the domestic arrivals doors opposite the Airlink 100 bus stance.
NB: Each airline at Edinburgh Airport may have differing rules and regulations on booking special assistance.
Hidden disabilities
For people that do not want to share details of their hidden disabilities the airport can offer you a special lanyard or pin to wear. This will identify you to airport staff as someone who may need additional support or understanding. Lanyards are available at assistance reception areas.
Mobility equipment
Free to use mobility equipment is available at the airport including a range of manual attendant wheelchairs, aisle chairs to move the passenger through the plane to their seat, different types of ramps and lifts outside of the aeroplanes and an accessible minibus to cross the tarmac. Depending on the type of aeroplane you’re flying in, you may also be able to use the Eagle 2 Hoist to help you into your seat. The hoist should always be pre booked (subject to availability) at least 48 hours before travel. All requests to utilise the hoist should be made in writing to: eaglehoist@edinburghairport.com as soon as you are aware of your travel details.
Using your own mobility equipment
Passengers can remain in their own mobility equipment up until boarding the aircraft. You’ll need to go to check-in so that all pieces of the mobility aid are tagged with a luggage label and an Electric Mobility Aid (EMA) “Safe for Carriage” form completed.
Then visit the special assistance reception in order for the EMA to be checked for compatibility on the aircraft. Go through security and to the departure lounge, where you will be met at the gate by Omniserv staff to help you board the aircraft. The EMA will be taken to the baggage hold after you are on board the aircraft.
On arrival at your destination, the airline crew and handling agent will arrange for your mobility aid to be collected before you are disembarked from the aircraft.
Assistance dogs
It is a requirement that you notify your airline at the time of booking if you wish to travel with an assistance dog. When flying into Edinburgh Airport it is recommended that you contact their animal receiving centre at least 48 hours prior to your flight. Centre staff will guide you through the health requirements for your assistance dog’s entry to the UK and process your dog on arrival.
Email: arc@extrordinair.co.uk or tel: 0131 317 7277.
SignLive
SignLive, an Edinburgh-based British Sign Language online interpreting service, has recently launched its video remote interpreting service to provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on demand at Edinburgh Airport.
Edinburgh Airport is the first UK airport to introduce this service, which provides an instant way to communicate with Deaf and/or without speech customers by connecting with an online BSL interpreter via smart handheld devices.
Welcome App
The airport has partnered with Neatebox, who have launched a welcome app to provide an enhanced experience for passengers requiring special assistance.
Visit: www.neatebox.com/edi-joininginstructions
Bon voyage!
For far more information than we can fit on this page, visit: www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/special-assistance
City Cabs – for Edinburgh Airport transfers
City Cabs are the official taxi provider for Edinburgh Airport, with a rank just steps from the main terminal in the multi-storey car park. They also offer a meet and greet service. Email: bookings@citycabs.co.uk or tel: 0131 228 1211. (Meet and greet bookings must be made 72 hours in advance if emailing your enquiry.) You can also download the app at: citycabs.co.uk
All City Cab taxis have wheelchair access facility.
