HIAL has introduced new stair climbing equipment at five of its 10 airports to assist passengers with reduced mobility in boarding and disembarking aircraft.

HIAL has invested more than £30,000 in five Amazon Stair Climbing Chairs and associated equipment for Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay and Tiree airports. The stair climbers are suitable for assisting passengers to access smaller types of aircraft, such as the DH Twin Otter and Saab 340, and will complement the hydraulic Ambulifts already provided by HIAL at all of its airports except Barra.

Members of the Airport Fire Service and airline ground handling agents have been fully trained in operating the new equipment which is now in service at the five airports.

The stair climbers will be of benefit to anyone with reduced mobility travelling via HIAL’s airports, including people using scheduled flights for hospital and medical appointments on the mainland.

HIAL had already invested more than £50,000 in the past two years to improve disabled access at its airports in line with Disability Discrimination Act requirements and in conjunction with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.

Inglis Lyon, HIAL’s Managing Director, said: “Ensuring accessibility is very important for us and the new stair climbers offer benefits to passengers who may have difficulty boarding or getting off aircraft, particularly at the smaller airports.

“Our airports enable vital air services to operate across the region and we are keen to ensure that these are accessible to all passengers. This latest investment follows on from work carried out across the 10 airports to improve disabled access at our terminal buildings in the past two years.

“This is about enhancing the service we provide for passengers travelling through our airports and ensuring that they enjoy safe and comfortable journeys,” said Mr Lyon.

ENDS