SEPANG: AirAsia on Saturday launched its first ambulift at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang. Another unit is placed at the Kota Kinabalu airport.
The ambulifts are to allow wheelchair-bound passengers to board the aircraft instead of being physically carried into the plane by AirAsia workers.
An ambulift is a lift that is attached to the back of a van to move passengers from the aircraft to the ground so they do not have to climb the steps.
Fernandez said providing the ambulift was only one of the airlines' initiatives to be disabled-friendly.
He said the company was also in talks with Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) to provide free aerobridge usage at airports that do not have ambulifts.
"We are also giving our staff hands-on training by engaging those from the disabled community so we can learn to communicate better and work with them.
"We will also enhance our services and accessibility where possible and we hope to set the example for other low-cost carriers and airlines to work towards an improved environment for our disabled friends," he said.
He added that although AirAsia had acquired its own ambulifts, he hoped MAB would improve the facilities in the airport by having levelled walkways and designated carparks.
However, Fernandez also noted that AirAsia's A320 aircraft can only take a maximum of four disabled guests per flight and two of the seats could accommodate quadriplegic guests.
Click Source: Star Online Saturday April 12, 2008
