New flight check-in aims to ease stress for disabled

Specially trained staff at Birmingham Airport will assisted passengers with hidden disabilities, who will wear a sunflower lanyard to identify them

A new airport check-in process has been set up to provide "stress-free" and "calm" assistance for people with hidden disabilities to catch a flight.

The service has just been introduced at Birmingham Airport, where specially-trained staff will assist people who will wear sunflower lanyards to identify them.

The airport said its aim was to ensure those passengers who need it will get the specific help they require.

Bosses have stressed though that the scheme does not fast track the check-in process for those passengers.

"This new process ensures we can fully support our customers with the help they need, whether from the check-in point to the aircraft or just through the security process," said Chris Wilson, head of terminal operations.

The lanyard is a discreet means of make others aware the passenger has a hidden disability.

Eligible customers are required to register with the airport's assisted travel desk when they arrive at the airport.

"This new scheme will help better manage the service offered to customers registering directly with the Assisted Travel team upon arrival," said Andy Wright, from Birmingham Airport's accessibility forum.

"This will ensure the resource can now be better utilised to support those for whom the sunflower lanyard policy was originally created."