Two Irish airports Ireland West Airport and Shannon Airport have become the first airports in the world to be recognised as Age Friendly airports by the World Health Organisation (WHO ).
Both airports were officially launched as Age Friendly Airports, certified by the WHO, at a ceremony in Ireland West Airport, officiated by the Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport.
Age Friendly Airport guidelines were drafted for certification by the World Health Organisation, based on walkability studies and reports carried out at the two airports.
The airports have worked closely with Age Friendly Ireland and their respective local authorities to enhance their services for older people.
Age Friendly Ireland is a local government shared service that supports all of society to prepare for population ageing. At present in Ireland, there are about 742,000 people aged 65 and over. The number and proportion of older people is set to increase exponentially in the coming years due to a demographic trend called population ageing.
All facilities and aspects of society need to be more aware of older people’s needs and ensure that the built environment and services are fully accessible to older people. This work contributes towards this government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland as set out in the Programme for Government.
In order to become recognised as Age Friendly Airports, Shannon and Ireland West Airport consulted extensively with their older customers via the Older People’s Councils hosted by local government. This included carrying out ‘walkability audits’ of the buildings and their environs. These audits examined seating, signage, footpaths, car parking, toilet and other facilities and access routes. Both airports scored well for their existing facilities, but also identified improvements needed, and subsequently rolled out a work plan to develop their amenities as age friendly.
Following its consultation with older people, Ireland West Airport Knock installed extra seating in arrivals and departures area, an adult changing facility, new signage, new equipment airside (ambilift and ramp ), and delivered staff training.
Consultants Dr Sean O’Riordain and Jack Keyes were involved with the airports from an early stage and worked on the development of Age Friendly Airport Guidelines. This publication is available on www.agefriendlyireland.ie and can be used as a template for other airports and indeed transport hub in Ireland and internationally as a replicable model.
Key features of an age friendly airport include low noise levels, places to rest and sit, safe passageways and pathways, pedestrian access, accessible toilets, a secure environment and good public transport, and clear signage for displaying airline arrivals and departures information.
Joe Gilmore, CEO of Ireland West Airport Knock said: "We are absolutely delighted to have achieved national recognition for our work towards creating a more age friendly environment at the airport.
"Over the past two years the airport has been working to transform the airport experience for our customers through the enhancement of our services and facilities and throughout the process have worked in collaboration with the teams at Age Friendly Ireland and Mayo County Council to ensure the transformation works and service offering met with the requirements of the Age Friendly Recognition Programme."
With these two airports now recognised as Age Friendly, Ireland is very much open for business for older people across the world to come here and sample our wonderful tourism offerings, hospitality, adventure and culture.
Attending the launch were Marie Flanagan, Chair of Mayo’s Older People’s Council and Maurice Harvey, Chair of Clare Older People’s Council, Marie said: "As a Mayo person, a proud member of Mayo’s OPC and as a regular user of Ireland West Airport Knock, I am delighted to be part of the process that recognises our local airport as an Age Friendly Airport. I am greatly reassured of the ease of access and customer support that is available at this airport. There is great comfort in planning your journey knowing that it will be stress free."
