Disability Assistance
Air Travel for People with Disabilities To and From Gran Canaria Airport
Travel planning
Having a disability can present certain challenges if you want to fly. With advance planning at your departure and destination airports, you can overcome these hurdles. Disability assistance requires advance planning. This page hopefully will assist you. If you need advice about travelling on a flight with an assistance dog please see the page for information.
It is natural for people with disabilities to be as independent as they can. It is essential to plan in advance any disability assistance beforehand. For example, if you have walking difficulties, you can arrange for disability assistance by use of an airport transporter or wheelchair for instance.
The European Parliament regulation EC1107/2006, states all European airports will operate a disability assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility. This has enabled all Spanish Airports, including Gran Canaria airport to provide a quality service that guarantees people with disabilities to air travel within European territory.
As a result, a minimum of 48 hours notice should be given if a passenger requires disability assistance. However, at busy times more time may be required. This is because of safety regulations because they can only accommodate a small number of people at any particular time on a flight. Our advice is to arrange the assistance you require as soon as possible.
The service is excellent!
The airline you booked with will inform both airports of the type of assistance needed. The team of airport assistance providers will then be expecting you. They will meet you at the departure airport and have everything in place for you. Likewise, they will get you to the aircraft assisted with equipment and with personal help. The destination airport will also be aware of the situation and have their ground team ready in place.
Tip: Be precise and accurate as to exactly what assistance you need. Airports can be huge and at Gran Canaria airport there are large walking areas. Remember you need to get to your luggage collection, passport control, and on to the arrivals hall.
How to Procure Disability Assistance?
Passengers need to request disability assistance at least 48 hours in advance.
If your requirements change while in Gran Canaria it is good to contact Aena on +34 91 321 10 00 and inform them. Also, you can visit Aena’s website for more information.
How to Request PRM Disability Assistance with Aena
- Go onto the Aena website. (aena.es)
- If you navigate to the top right hand corner of the Home Page you can select your language.
- Navigate to the top left hand side of the Home page and click the button marked “Passengersâ€.
- Scroll down the page and you will notice a box marked “PRM assistance”. Click the drop down box menu to choose your airport. Choose your airport.
- On the next page there is an orange button “Request Assistance”. Click this button.
- On the next page fill in your details and request assistance.
- Important: Check that your request for assistance has been confirmed.
- Alternatively you can contact Gran Canaria Airport directly on: (+34) 91 321 10 00.
Hidden Disabilities
The airport operator AENA has launched a new project for people with hidden disability since April 2023. ASD, anxiety disorders, learning difficulties, and other conditions are examples of these.
Passengers with this type of impairment may be physically capable to navigating the airport without the assistance of Sin Barreras. They may, however, find the bustling environment difficult to deal with and may require a little extra time and an understanding attitude from airport workers when passing through the airport.
The badge is only valid on the date of your flight and at the airport to which you are going to or from. To apply for the badge click here
Please keep in mind that the badge does not grant you access to the Sin Barreras service. If this service is required, it must be requested individually (as mentioned below).
Arrival at LPA Gran Canaria Airport
When arriving at LPA cabin staff are on hand to offer assistance for the disabled. Airport staff is then on hand to assist when passing through passport control and your luggage reclaim. You will then be taken to the meeting point of your choice.
Tip: If travelling to Gran Canaria on a holiday and you decide to rent any disability equipment you require, it is recommended that you book this in advance! Especially during busy times of the season.
Sol Mobility Blue Holiday Service comes highly recommended as the No.1 choice in Gran Canaria. They offer a range of mobility scooters and electric or manual wheelchair hire. Also, they provide excellent low-cost shower chairs, commodes and have a complete range of modern mobility equipment for hire.
They also provide free delivery and collection service!
Web: https://www.solmobility.com/
Tel: (+34) 928 735 311
Departure at LPA Gran Canaria Airport
Go to the pre-arranged meeting point. If this has not been arranged, then in the departures hall, inform a member of staff that you have arrived and that you need disability assistance. There are also intercoms at fixed locations to inform the airport staff. They will ask you to wait there and then they will collect you.
Passengers in need of disability assistance will be assisted during the check-in process and at the security checkpoints. This will continue until you are in your seat on the plane; helping with your luggage and personal needs.
However, once on board the aircraft, airline staff will usually take over until the destination airport. Then the airport staff will assist in helping you with passport control and collecting your luggage. They will take you to the desired meeting point if you have arranged for someone there to take you out of the airport.
Summary: Plan well in advance if possible and arrive at the airport in plenty of time. There are good facilities for the disabled at all the terminals of Gran Canaria airport. These include lifts, ramps, and disabled spaces of all levels of the car park.
Meeting points at LPA Gran Canaria Airport
There are a number of PRM disability assistance meeting points located on both floors at the airport with intercoms.
Sin Barreras Meeting point locations:
- The main terminal building, Floor 0 PRM Meeting Point
- The main terminal building, Floor 1 PRM Meeting Point
The Sin Barreras service at LPA Gran Canaria Airport is without charge for passengers requiring disability assistance and is operated by Aena, the Spanish airport company.
The Sin Barreras (Without Barriers) service is excellent and will make any disabled passenger’s journey and members of their party a less stressful one.
How To Initiate Reduced Mobility during the Booking Process
This must be initiated during the process of booking your flights. Passengers requesting disability assistance will notice an option to request assistance. Generally, this is the procedure with most airlines. You should notice a section on the web page or a button that will direct you to the area of their website to make the application. Usually, you give your details and requirements by ticking boxes that specify various assistance that you need.
Wheelchair users
Each airline will transport your wheelchair and mobility equipment free of charge. However, it is imperative that you inform them of this when you buy your flights, especially if you have battery-powered equipment. For instance, a folding wheelchair may be stored in the passenger cabin, if there is enough space on board. Therefore, if you require the use a wheelchair on board it has to be requested when booking. Please be aware that walking sticks and crutches will likely be taken off passengers for the duration of the flight and stored. Batteries must be disconnected for safety reasons. This will prevent batteries from turning your equipment on during the flight or run the risk of short-circuiting for instance.
Boarding the Aircraft
You will be transported to the entrance of the aircraft either in your own wheelchair or one they have provided. If your chair is a battery-powered type it will have to be stored in the aircraft hold. Don’t forget to label your wheelchair or mobility equipment before you travel. From here passengers will be transferred to an onboard chair or boarding chair.
Note: Depending upon the gate number, the wheelchair exchange location may vary depending on the boarding method and facilities available at your departure airport and LPA Gran Canaria airport.
Different carriers will have different policies regarding boarding. Some will require you to board before any of the other passengers and with others, you will be boarded last.
Toilets on board aircraft
You must travel with a companion if you’re not self-reliant. They need to assist you using the toilet, as cabin crew is not permitted to assist with the use of the toilet or to help lift passengers. Find out from your airline if they have a toilet with disabled access. Very few do but Easyjet has recently started to equip some of their new aircraft.
However, on most aircraft the onboard toilet compartment is tiny, Remember also the onboard wheelchair can only be taken up to the toilet door. It will not fit inside. However, there are rails and grab handles inside the onboard toilet compartment. As the doors open outward this helps the transition from wheelchair to the grab handles inside the toilet area.
Seats
Therefore seeing that you have notified the airline during the booking process they will select a suitable seat for you, free of charge. If you’d prefer to choose your own seat there are some restrictions on where you can sit.
Extra Leg Room
The seats with extra legroom are often situated in the emergency exit rows. However, for safety reasons, these seats cannot be occupied by any passengers requiring disability assistance. Therefore, if you require assistance and extra legroom, your airline will seat you at the front of the plane near the toilets.
Postural Support Seating
If you require postural support for your flight you will have to bring your own equipment as your airline will not provide these.
You will have to contact your airline beforehand to ensure that your postural support is suitable for the aircraft’s seats and for them to allocate a suitable seat.
Postural supports are permitted but they must comply with the airline’s safety standards. These supports should be used in addition to the aircraft’s safety belt for instance.
Travelling companion
Travelling companions must be 16 years old or more and be physically capable of offering disability assistance to the disabled person in the event of an emergency. As a result, to travel alone you must be able to perform the following:
- Understand and hear the safety briefing
- Fasten and unfasten your seat belt
- Locate your life jacket and put it on your person correctly
- Leave your seat but move to the emergency exit doors
- Put the oxygen mask on
- Use the toilet on your own
Special Service Request (SSR) Codes
Below are the SSR codes that are recognised by all airlines and can easily and accurately provide the airline with the type of assistance you need:
| SSR Code | Description of Assistance |
|---|---|
| WCHR | Wheelchair assistance required; passenger can walk short distance up or down stairs. |
| WCHS | Wheelchair assistance required; passenger can walk short distance, but not up or down stairs. |
| WCHC | Wheelchair required; passenger cannot walk any distance and will require the aisle chair to board. |
| WCOB | On-board aisle wheelchair requested (for use during flight). |
| WCMP | Passenger is traveling with a manual wheelchair. |
| WCBD | Passenger is traveling with a dry cell battery-powered wheelchair. |
| WCBW | Passenger is traveling with a wet cell battery-powered wheelchair. |
| BLND | Passenger is blind or has reduced vision. |
| DEAF | Passenger is deaf or hard of hearing. |
| ESAN | Passenger is travelling with an emotional support animal. |
| EXST | Passenger requires an extra seat due to body size. |
| MAAS | Meet-and-assist. Used by some airlines to identify passengers with intellectual disabilities. |
| MEDA | Medical case. Used by some airlines to identify passengers needing oxygen. |
| OXYG | Passenger will require oxygen. |
| PETC | Passenger is traveling with a pet in cabin. |
| PNUT | Passenger is allergic to peanut dust. |
| PPOC | Passenger is traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator. |
| STCR | Passenger is traveling on a stretcher. |
| SVAN | Passenger is traveling with a service animal. |
Note: Passengers will need to call and have the relevant SSR codes added to the ticket at the time of booking or soon thereafter. Remember by giving the airline advance notice allows them and airport staff to better manage passenger requirements.
Onward Travel from LPA Gran Canaria Airport
So then, once you have arrived at Gran Canaria Airport, a passenger requiring disability assistance may need transport to get to their holiday resort. Here are a few options:
Bus
Gran Canaria airport buses are usually equipped for people with disabilities. Generally, they all are wheelchair accessible. However, at the airport, you will have to put the wheelchair underneath in the luggage hold.
Taxi
Adapted taxis with electric wheelchair lifts are available for airport transfers. Accessible Taxis and Minibuses cost an extra €10 per wheelchair. A very good company on the island is Sol Mobility.
For information about wheelchair accessible taxis, please view our taxi page.
Sol Mobility. They have a small fleet of adapted vehicles offering transfers to and from LPA Gran Canaria Airport.
Sol Mobility
Web: solmobility.com
Tel:(+34) 928 735 311
Car Hire
Adapted vehicles to hire on Gran Canaria are still limited. Therefore, the one company providing adapted vehicles is Cicar. Check their website.
Canary Islands Car (Cicar)
This company has a wheelchair accessible van for hire with lowered floor, having a electrical platform for its incorporation into the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped to carry one passenger in a wheelchair + four further passengers.
They also provide an Adapted Opel Astra which facilitates the transport of disabled persons.
To make a booking telephone contact their reservations department via email [email protected] or by telephone at +34 902244444.