Ageing & travel: The policy-practice gap

I had come to see off my eighty-four-year-old uncle, who\ uses a wheelchair at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. He was flying to New Delhi. We had chosen to fly him with India’s premier airline,\

Kathmandu airport has two business lounges – the one managed by Radisson Hotel is a twenty-odd-step climb on the first floor. There are no elevators. Soltee Hotel operates the second lounge, which is on the ground floor. While the airline had booked a wheelchair for my uncle, it invited him to the first-floor lounge as it only had an agreement with the Radisson lounge. Forty minutes of discussion with three staff levels later,

finally agreed to make an exception and allow him to the ground floor lounge. Had I not persevered, my uncle would have been denied using a lounge he was entitled to because of his #age and #disability.had not used the prism of disability and ageing when deciding to make an exclusive contract with one lounge, while other international airlines operating out of Kathmandu hedge their bets and let passengers choose a lounge.Making policies and guidelines on disability and #ageing requires complex-multidimensional #advocacy and leadership communication. Ideally, the organizations would have an ageing and #disability focal point that would be empowered enough to examine all client-facing decisions of the organization through the ageing and disability lens. The Human Resources heads need to ensure that in their induction programs, disability and ageing are featured in the curricula.

Clearly articulated leadership communication on a company’s commitment to creating inclusive products is a must and needs to be frequently repeated. There are, of course, trailblazers-

, has spoken publicly about his commitment to making Microsoft products and services accessible to everyone. He believes that people with disabilities can significantly contribute to the workplace. Similarly, , has said that her firm is committed to creating a culture of equality where everyone can advance and thrive and making its products and services accessible.Soon, more airlines and airport operators will realize the economic imperative of using the ageing lens in business decisions. predicts that the number of people aged 65 years and older will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.6 billion in 2050. Similarly, the number of older adults who travel internationally will increase from 100 million in 2015 to 260 million in 2030.Growing up, I have known my uncle as a confident person whose wit and swift decision-making always got him out of any tight spot. He has been a sportsman for the better part of his life. However, with age, I see irreversible changes which make airports and flights a challenge, especially when travelling alone.#Airports can be large and complex, with long distances, confusing signage, and crowds. Elderly passengers may have difficulty finding their way around, especially if unfamiliar with the airport. Trust in the person pushing your wheelchair is critical for not getting an anxiety attack. A pleasant surprise was the Special Assistance staff at Delhi’s IGIA airport. The gentleman pushing the wheelchair was experienced in dealing with elderly passengers and showed patience and compassion at every stage of the journey. This highlights the importance of appropriately recruiting and training staff dealing with elderly passengers.It is important to note that the needs of elderly passengers can vary depending on their circumstances. Airports and Airlines should be prepared to work with elderly passengers to identify and address their individual needs and train their staff to deal with elderly passengers. This includes training on how to identify and address the needs of elderly passengers and provide them with the best possible service.both recognize the importance of travel for older adults. Travel can allow older adults to stay active, learn new things, and connect with loved ones. However, it is crucial for older adults to be aware of the challenges they may face when travelling and to take steps to mitigate those risks.There are several things that older adults can do to prepare for travel, including: