Birmingham Airport has marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a major announcement: a £3.8 million investment to significantly enhance its assisted travel services. The funding, revealed on Wednesday 3 December 2025, is aimed at creating smoother and more efficient journeys for passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities.
Major Investment in New Equipment
The core of this passenger service boost is the acquisition of twelve new ambulifts. The airport confirmed it will roll out these specialised vehicles over the next eight months. Ambulifts are essential equipment designed to help passengers with reduced mobility board and disembark from aircraft when an airbridge cannot be used.
This substantial fleet upgrade, representing a multi-million-pound commitment, is expected to directly tackle and reduce waiting times for those requiring assistance. For an airport that served 12.8 million passengers in 2024, this investment underscores a commitment to inclusive travel for all.
Enhanced Training and Hidden Disability Support
Beyond the new hardware, the airport is implementing crucial software improvements in the form of comprehensive staff training. All relevant personnel are now required to complete new accessibility training modules. This initiative specifically aims to equip staff with the skills to better support neurodivergent customers, ensuring a more understanding and responsive service.
Furthermore, Birmingham Airport is actively promoting its participation in the global Sunflower Lanyard scheme for passengers with hidden disabilities. The discreet lanyard is a simple but effective tool that allows individuals to indicate to staff that they may need additional support, patience, or assistance without having to explain their condition verbally.
How to Access the Improved Services
Passengers planning to use the Sunflower Lanyard scheme are advised to first visit the airport's Assisted Travel desk, located before security. Here, they can register and discuss the specific level of assistance they require for their journey. Staff will then provide the appropriate lanyard and a corresponding information tag to ensure all team members encountered can offer the right help.
The dual approach of investing in both cutting-edge equipment and in-depth staff development signals a holistic upgrade to Birmingham Airport's accessibility provisions. This £3.8 million package is poised to make air travel from the West Midlands hub a more dignified and less stressful experience for thousands of passengers each year.
