Airport setback for disabled passengers

THE Cork Network of People with Disabilities (PWDI) and members of the Cork Access Group were alarmed to hear that the initial proposal to incorporate air bridges from the new Cork airport terminal to the aircraft was being reviewed.

It seemed there was an overspend on the project budget.

It now seems that the four air bridges which were to have been a central feature of the airport will not be installed.

The practice of allowing passengers to embark and disembark by walking in the open air to and from the gangway of the aircraft is now likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

In our view this will tarnish significantly what has otherwise been a well-researched and valuable development for the city and county.

It is unacceptable that passengers walking on the bays near the parked aircraft in the open air should be exposed to wind, rain and noise. Those with disabilities are not as quick to board the gangway of an aircraft, especially in bad weather

In the current climate of security fears at every international airport, passengers are controlled in air bridges, having been screened prior to final approach to embarkation.

But it seems the Cork airport authority is happy to allow all passengers amble along runways as they have done for over 40 years.

The method of getting disabled passengers to embark and disembark currently in use is undignified and exposes them to risk of injury.

Using a lift/hoist to enable people with disabilities enter or leave an aircraft is tantamount to treating them like cargo.

We have had reports from people with disabilities telling of being tilted too far causing them extreme discomfort and making them fearful of falling from the wheelchair.

Failure to incorporate air bridges into the new terminal is a backward step as far as people with disabilities are concerned.

Given the significant expenditure on the project to date one must question the rationale for considering changes that omit air bridges which were central to the initial design plan.

The disability sector in Cork cannot allow a multi-million euro development to be completed while ignoring equality of treatment and access rights.

Will someone shout stop and let common sense prevail.

Donie O’Leary

Chairman

Cork Network People with Disabilities

41 Penrose Wharf

Cork