Lounge upgrade at Gatwick

Following criticism in the CAA’s latest annual report on accessibility services provided by UK airports (BTN 16 July), Gatwick has now officially opened its £2m airline lounge style area in North Terminal for passengers needing special assistance.

The facility is one of the biggest of its kind in any European airport and has been designed with a premium lounge feel, with bespoke chairs and soft furnishings to provide a quiet, calm environment where passengers can relax before their flights.

Next to North Terminal’s departure lounge, the new area is easy to access once passengers has passed through the special-assistance security lanes, and can seat up to 90 people – more than double the existing area size.

The 56sq m site also has a dedicated reception area with hearing induction loops, water fountain and toilet facilities, as well as charging points for passenger transport vehicles and personal electronic devices.

LED energy-efficient lighting can be remotely controlled to operate at different levels of brightness across the area according to the preference or needs of the passengers.

Some 19% of the UK population have a disability and 11% a hidden disability. As many as 7% of the UK population is thought to avoid air travel because of a disability.

www.gatwickairport.com

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