Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on the 16th of May, iGA Istanbul Airport shares how it delivers exceptional accessibility services through its iGA Cares program, incorporating industry-leading practices. 

The airport adheres to both national and international standards, ensuring a more accessible, self-sufficient, and enjoyable travel experience for guests with physical, mental, and neurological differences. In partnership with non-profit organisations and individuals with disabilities, services are designed collaboratively, further enhancing a strong commitment to inclusive and accessible travel. New for 2024, iGA Istanbul Airport has also just launched its brand new experience aiming to enhance the customer offerings with its “Therapy Dog Project”!

Sensory support and spaces: iGA Istanbul Airport supports sensory-sensitive children, and adults, with the Very Special Guest card, designed to facilitate the airport procedures for guests with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, or other disabilities, who may need a calmer environment due to their increased sensitivity to noise and crowds. Such cards offer access to the Very Special Guest Rooms; two exclusive rooms, which are equipped with toys, resting areas, TVs screening animated movies, and flight information displays to ensure a pleasant waiting experience. Additionally, both rooms offer a compact quiet room with rubber-coated walls, available for use during times of crisis. The airport has also introduced the thoughtfully-designed accessible café, Café Yanımda, which offers a private dining area for noise-sensitive individuals, a tactile map, a digital information kiosk with sign language services, electric wheelchair charging stations, and accessible tables and chairs. A percentage of the income is shared with non-profit organisations dedicated to promoting accessibility.

Technology:In order to help the future of mobility for all members of society whilst considering human sustainability, iGA has a plethora of services that are improved upon annually. This includes accessible routes as an alternative to the existing Loud Steps application. Through the accessible routes, visually impaired guests can navigate around the airport with the confidence that they will be safe from obstacles, moreover, can use the Istanbul Airport mobile app to access Loud Steps, whereby voice guidance will assist with directions as well as provide guests with descriptions of their surroundings.

Therapy Dogs:Launching a brand new experience in Turkey and continuing to enhance its customer experience offering, iGA Istanbul Airport unveils the ‘Therapy Dog Project’, to provide a calming and enjoyable travel experience to passengers experiencing flight-related stress. As part of this new project, these adorable furry friends will be on duty to provide support to nervous fliers, or simply those looking for comfort ahead of their journey. The specially trained therapy dogs will be roaming the international departures area during the day, especially during peak hours of flights, to provide passenger service support. The pawsome project currently involves five dogs, who are looked after by a brilliant and friendly team led by Volkan Arslan, the Veterinarian at iGA Istanbul Airport.