Welcome to Edinburgh Airport
We know that flying can sometimes be a frightening experience, and the airport environment can also be challenging.
We’re committed to making sure our passengers have the best experience possible and have been working in partnership with local organisations and industry experts to help passengers who might need a little extra assistance.
To make your journey through Edinburgh Airport as easy and stress-free as possible we’ve introduced our Travelling with Additional Needs toolkit.
This toolkit is made up of a series of factsheets which break the airport journey down into easy step-by-step stages – allowing you to familiarise yourself with Edinburgh Airport and be clear on what you should expect when travelling.
The factsheets focus on how you can arrive at the airport and how to check-in, what to expect when going through the security process and how to locate your gate in the departure lounge. Specific factsheets have also been created for passengers who may have an autism-spectrum disorder and those who may have hearing or visual impairments. You can find these factsheets using the links below.
If you feel that these factsheets don’t answer all your questions or if you have any further concerns then please emailadditionalneeds@edinburghairport.com with more information on your journey and our team will be delighted to support you.
We have a committed team at Edinburgh Airport, in particular our Customer Service Leaders who are on hand to assist you with any issue, question or query. Our Customer Service Leaders are instantly recognisable as they’re always wearing a high-viz vest and a smile.
Autism-spectrum disorders
At Edinburgh Airport, we understand that each person is unique and what works for one person may not work for the next. That is why we encourage people to contact us before they travel so we can understand your needs and come up with a plan to ensure a smooth journey through the airport.
We will be able to advise you on quieter times to travel and more peaceful areas of the airport where you can relax before your flight. We can also arrange for visits to the airport in advance to allow you to familiarise yourself with the environment and the airport process. If you would like more information about support we can offer you please email additionalneeds@edinburghairport.com.
As part of this familiarisation, we have created a number of factsheets which breakdown the journey through the airport into key stages:
For more general information about preparing for a holiday, please see Scottish Autism’s ‘Going on Holiday’ factsheet.
For further advice and guidance on preparing for a holiday, you can contact Scottish Autism’s experienced team of Autism Advisors on 01259 720044 or email autism@scottishautism.org
Hearing and visual impairments
For passengers who may have hearing or visual impairments we have created factsheets in a word document format which are compatible with most screen readers.
Induction loops can be found in locations around the terminal (look for signs showing the “sympathetic ear” symbol). Payphones and credit card telephones are available in all parts of the airport and are adapted for hearing aids. Guide and hearing dogs are the only dogs allowed in the terminal buildings. A dog spending area for assistance dogs only is located next to the multi-storey car park. A dog waste bin is located within the spending area.
Induction loops can be accessed in the following areas of the airport:
- Gate 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
- At gate 18 in our south east pier
- Baggage belts 1, 2 and 3 in our international arrivals hall
- At the entrance to Starbucks in our domestic arrivals area
If you would like more information on induction loops at the airport please email additionalneeds@edinburghairport.com
Travelling with a Heart Device
Air travel should be relatively straightforward if you have been fitted with an implanted cardiac device. There are three main types of device which are inserted under the skin; pacemakers, cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices and implantable cardioverterdefibrillators. There are other cardiac devices which may be implanted for short or long term investigations or treatment so if you are unsure if you have one of these devices, always check with your doctor or nurse before planning to travel by air.
Implanted cardiac devices are designed so that they should not be affected by airport security screening equipment. However, there is a small chance that the metal parts of your device might set off airport security metal detector alarm. Therefore it is vital that you carry your personal Patient ID card with you at all times when travelling as it contains essential information.
Please show your Patient ID card to a Security Officer when in the search area to ensure they can take appropriate action to assist you with your journey.
To minimise the risk of temporary interference to your heart device when going through airport electromagnetic security screening, you should:
- Avoid touching metal surfaces around any screening equipment
- Walk through the screening archway at a normal pace. The security archway will not harm your device but do not stay in the vicinity of the screening arch for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
- Airport security wands could also temporarily affect your device or turn it off if the wand is held over it for a prolonged period of time (longer than 30 seconds). If you have shown your Patient ID card to a member of the security team they should know not to hold it over your device or the surrounding area.
If you have concerns about security screening at Edinburgh Airport please speak to a member of the airport security team who will be happy to help you through the search area. Once on board the aircraft your device will not cause any interference to the aircraft’s electronic systems.
To access a copy of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s free publications please click on the links below or take a look at our websitewww.chss.org.uk
If you would like further information please call the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Advice Line Nurses on: 0808 810 0899 (Freephone) Monday to Friday 9:30-4pm.
For more information, these handy guides should help:
Air travel for people affected by chest, heart & stroke illness:
www.chss.org.uk/documents/2013/08/f13_air_travel_web.pdf
Living with a pacemaker:
www.chss.org.uk/living-with-a-pacemaker.pdf
Living with an ICD:
www.chss.org.uk/living-with-an-icd.pdf
Remember to always carry your Patient ID Card with you in your hand luggage.
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http://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/travelling-with-additional-needs
