Israir's new planes to be adapted for disabled passengers' needs

"Every year, some 40,000 people with different disabilities fly abroad."

By SHELLY PAZ
israir 88 298 (photo credit: Courtesy photo)
israir 88 298
(photo credit: Courtesy photo)
Israir has announced a joint project with the Shekel organization for people with special needs to adapt its newly purchased Airbus 320A and its services for disabled people beyond the required standard. "Every year, some 40,000 people with different disabilities fly abroad," said Dr. Avi Ramot, Shekel's head of the Israeli Center for Accessibility. "Adapting aircrafts for these populations is an important goal, and we praise Israir for its decision to join us and to allow disabled people a comfortable flying experience." Three Airbus 320A planes are slated to be added to Israir's fleet by 2010. Israir consulted Shekel's Center for Accessibility to learn about the needs of disabled customers. Israir is now working to adapt the new aircrafts' seats to allow disabled passengers to sit and get up easily, adjust the lavatories for their use and equipping the planes with wheelchairs that can be pushed comfortably down the aisles. The company's instructions to air and ground staff will include professional guidance from the Center for Accessibility on serving disabled passengers, Israir director-general Yisrael Ben-Haim said. "Israir puts a lot of effort into improving the flight experience for all passengers, including the disabled," he said.