The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has just dropped its latest Airport Accessibility Report, and let’s just say… not everyone is cleared for take-off.
Out of 28 airports assessed across the UK, Heathrow, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Prestwick have been firmly grounded with a “needs improvement” rating when it comes to supporting disabled and less mobile passengers. Yes, even Heathrow – the UK’s busiest airport – didn’t make the cut. Ouch.
In This Post
So, What’s This All About?
The report evaluates how well airports assist passengers who require extra help getting from check-in to take-off. From mobility aid support to signage and sensory considerations, airports are rated on how inclusive their passenger experience really is.
- 11 airports smashed it with a “very good” rating – including comeback kids Cardiff and Gatwick, who were scraping the barrel last year.
- 14 more airports received a “good” rating – with Bristol, Liverpool, and Norwich stepping up from last year’s naughty list.
- 3 airports, though? Straight into the drop zone.
The Problem Airports
Heathrow (Terminal 3: You’ve Been Spotted)
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said Terminals 2, 4 and 5 were doing alright. But Terminal 3? Heathrow couldn’t even prove its own waiting time data was accurate. And if the regulator can’t trust the clock, that’s a serious hold-up.
Edinburgh (Contract Chaos)
Scotland’s capital airport fumbled the handover to a new assistance provider, leading to delays in helping passengers. While it looks like the turbulence has now settled, the damage was already logged.
Glasgow Prestwick (From Hero to Zero)
Prestwick’s fall from “very good” to “needs improvement” is the steepest drop of them all. Why? A failure to consult with disabled passengers. No Access Forum, no brownie points. They’ve promised to sort it – but they’ll need to prove it next year.
The Numbers You Should Know
- 5.5 million passengers requested assistance in the past year.
- That’s 1.9% of all UK air travellers – up from 1.69% in 2023.
- Demand is rising, and airports need to catch up. Fast.
Who Got It Right?
Shoutout to Gatwick, now working with accessibility experts accessible to launch 30+ detailed access guides. We’re talking lighting, noise levels, step-free access, signage, and even walking distances – all mapped out for you before you fly. That’s the gold standard.
What the Regulator Says
“We want disabled passengers and those with limited mobility to be confident when travelling through UK airports… Most airports scored positively, but there is clearly more to do from those found to be needing improvement.”
Selina Chadha, Group Director, CAA
Translation: No more excuses, Heathrow. You’re running the show – start acting like it.
TL;TR?
- Winners: Cardiff, Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool, Norwich
- Losers: Heathrow T3, Edinburgh, Prestwick
- Trend: Accessibility requests are rising – and airports need to keep up
- Message: Inclusive travel isn’t optional. It’s runway critical.
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