Aviation's Accessibility Gap: Why Regulations Fail Disabled Passengers

Researchers analyzed the full travel experience, from initial booking to baggage claim, documenting how fragmented issues—such as uncommunicated accessibility needs or damaged mobility equipment—compound into a exhausting ordeal. These failures persist even as the industry faces pressure to accommodate a growing population of travelers with physical, sensory, or invisible disabilities, including autism and anxiety.

Simone Moretti, a senior researcher at BUas, argues that current industry compliance falls short of providing truly dignified service. The study identifies a critical need for "standardized flexibility," where airports maintain uniform safety protocols while remaining adaptable to individual requirements. To bridge this gap, BUas is spearheading the EU-funded INCLAVI project, which advocates for a co-creation model that integrates the lived experiences of disabled passengers directly into the design of future aviation infrastructure and staff training programs.