SION AIRPORT OFFERS FREE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR PASSENGERS WITH MOBILITY NEEDS
Preparation for your journey can start even before you book your ticket. The information below will enable you to anticipate the questions you may be asked when booking.
In order to benefit from a quality service, ensure you inform the airline or your travel agent of your specific assistance needs when making your booking or at least 48 hours prior to departure for both outbound and return flights.
ANNOUNCE YOUR NEEDS
– Are you sure you need assistance?
– What type of disability do you have?
– Do you need an assistance provider?
– Can you walk? If so, how far?
– Can you climb stairs? If so, how many?
– Can you go down stairs? If so, how many?
– Can you walk on the plane?
– Do you need a wheelchair or will you use your own wheelchair?
– If you are travelling with your own chair, do you need someone to push it?
– Are you travelling with your assistance dog?
– What type of assistance do you need?
– Are you carrying any medical equipment?
– Have you checked if medical clearance is needed?
– Are you taking specific medication?
TRAVELLING WITH YOUR OWN WHEELCHAIR
If you are travelling with your own wheelchair, you should inform the airline specifying the dimensions (height, width and weight). In addition, we recommend travelling with the user manual.
If you are travelling with an electric wheelchair, you should also inform the airline and advise of the type of battery. In addition, we recommend travelling with the user manual.
TRAVELLING WITH AN ASSISTANCE DOG
You should inform the airline in advance if you have an assistance dog. Assistance dogs generally travel for free in the cabin. Please ensure you find out about the entry regulations for dogs in your destination country from your travel agency or from the embassy of the country in question.
For further information, please contact the Federal Veterinary Office: www.blv.admin.ch
On the day of your flight, ensure you carry all the necessary documents for your dog to travel.
Please check with your airline which type of hand luggage you are permitted to carry in the cabin. In most cases, airlines allow only one piece of hand luggage, the dimensions of which may vary.
A drop-off area is available in front of the airport entrance to facilitate passenger access.
You must personally go to your airline’s check-in desk to complete the check-in procedures. The check-in agents will inform you of the time at which you will be assisted at the assistance meeting point.
All passengers must undergo a security check before departure. Passengers in wheelchairs who are unable to stand at the security checkpoint will undergo a manual security check in a private cabin, if they wish.
If you are travelling with medication (aerosol inhalers, syringes, etc.) or use medical devices (prostheses, etc.), please carry a medical certificate with you. If you have a pacemaker, please inform the security staff.
For electric wheelchairs, the battery must be properly secured. It is also recommended that you travel with the wheelchair’s user manual.
If you would like to have something to eat, please let the Sion Airport staff member assisting you know. They will accompany you to the restaurant, provided that sufficient time is available before your flight departs.
Once you have finished, the staff member will come and collect you at the agreed time and location.
If you require assistance upon your return and arrival at Sion Airport, as you did for your departure, please notify your airline or travel agency when making your booking, or at least 48 hours in advance.
Once you have landed at Sion Airport, a Sion Airport staff member will assist you either from your aircraft seat or at the aircraft door, depending on your needs. You should not disembark with the other passengers.
You must remain on board the aircraft and wait for a Sion Airport staff member to assist you. If you leave the aircraft voluntarily, the assistance service may not be provided correctly.
Sion Airport will accompany you to the arrivals hall and assist you in collecting your luggage.
You may also be accompanied to:
– Your car, provided it is parked in the long-term car park
– A taxi that you have booked in advance
Your rights are protected by European legislation. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of 5 July 2006 establishes measures to ensure that persons with disabilities or reduced mobility have equal access to air transport, both at airports and on board aircraft.
These provisions are designed to enable you to travel in conditions of safety, independence and dignity.
If you believe that your rights have not been respected, we invite you to first submit your complaint to the passenger service of the airline concerned and/or to the airport management at [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response received, or if you do not receive a response, you may refer your complaint to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the competent authority in Switzerland for handling this type of complaint.
