ACI EUROPE Breaks New Ground in Airport Inclusivity with the Introduction of a Comprehensive Charter to Ensure Equal Access and Seamless Travel

Thursday, January 30, 2025

ACI EUROPE has introduced the ACI EUROPE Charter for Inclusion, a groundbreaking commitment aimed at fostering diversity, accessibility, and equity across airports. This initiative sets a new industry standard, urging airports to integrate inclusive practices into their operations, infrastructure, and passenger services. By going beyond legal requirements, the charter ensures that airports create environments where individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities can travel with ease and dignity.

With this charter, ACI EUROPE calls on airports to embrace a culture of inclusivity, ensuring that every traveler—regardless of ethnicity, culture, ability, gender, age, or other personal characteristics—feels valued and respected. By making inclusivity a core principle rather than an obligation, European airports are taking a significant step toward transforming the passenger experience and setting a global example for the aviation industry.

Magda Kopczyńska, Director‑General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission said: ”On behalf of the European Commission, we applaud ACI EUROPE and its member airports for launching this initiative to foster inclusion in air travel. The vision behind the ACI EUROPE Inclusion Charter — to build a European ecosystem where every passenger enjoys seamless, respectful, and empowering journeys — strongly aligns with the EU’s commitment to creating a Union of Equality. This proactive step underscores the European airport industry’s dedication to inclusion, and we look forward to working together to make this vision a tangible reality for all passengers”.

Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General commented: “Travel is a fundamental right for all, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that airports across Europe remain accessible and inclusive for everyone. This Charter builds on our extensive work over the years to provide best‑in‑class guidance to airports on passenger services. Together, we can make air travel more inclusive, ensuring that every passenger’s journey is marked by dignity, respect, and equal access to the wonders of our world. With this initiative, we are embracing the richness of human diversity and ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and respected throughout their journey — and, importantly, also as part of the airport workforce”.

The ACI EUROPE Charter for Inclusion lays out key principles that will drive airports’ efforts to cultivate inclusivity, including:

• Inclusive Design: Airports will adopt universal design principles to create spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and usable for all passengers.
• Accessibility for All Abilities: Airports will exceed regulatory standards, introducing innovative solutions to accommodate both visible and invisible disabilities.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Airports will foster environments that respect and celebrate cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, offering multilingual services and culturally appropriate facilities.
• Gender Equality & Family Inclusion: Airports will promote equality and support for diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and family structures, with dedicated spaces for families with children.
• Customer-Centric Experience: Airports will provide a personalized approach to customer service, addressing each passenger’s individual needs and preferences.

Additionally, the Charter underscores the significance of workforce empowerment and stakeholder collaboration while stressing the commitment to sustainability in creating truly inclusive airports. ACI EUROPE members will work collectively to embrace the principles of this Charter, ensuring that airports not only meet but surpass the expectations of all passengers.

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