Adelaide Airport: Catering to the needs of people with special needs.

The team at Adelaide Airport looks forward to welcoming you to our terminal, and hopes that your visit is an easy and pleasant experience. Adelaide Airport aims to provide facilities that promote accessibility for all members of the community, including passengers and visitors with disabilities or special needs. Our main terminal, along with our car parks and pathways, have been designed and constructed to the latest Australian Standards and building codes for people with disabilities.

Please click here to access our Disability Access Facilitation Plan.

For a guide on arrivals for people living with autism spectrum disorders please click here and for a guide on departures please click here.

Before you travel

Always ensure you tell your airline or travel agent when making your reservation that you have a disability and the assistance you will require. They will make the necessary arrangements for you, for example an aircraft wheelchair or suitable position on the aircraft for a guide dog. Most people, particularly those with stable conditions, will not require medical clearance before travelling, however it is important to check when booking.

Arriving at the airport

The multi-level car park at Adelaide Airport offers 26 dedicated parking spaces (12 located on level 2, 6 on level 1 and 4 on level 3 and level 4) for vehicles displaying a disability parking permit. A dedicated disabled drop off and pickup area is located at the southern and northern end of the terminal. Customer Service Officers are available for people in need of assistance, and/or to direct them to an area where they will receive additional support. Persons with a disability or who need special assistance can call 08 8308 9380 or 0438 890 024, prior to their visit to the airport.

Ground transport

Bus and Taxi services are available at the front of the Terminal on the ground floor. Adelaide Metro JetBus services depart from the ground floor level at the southern end of the Terminal. For taxis that can accommodate wheelchairs, phone Adelaide Access Taxis on 1300 360 940.

Assistance animals

Assistance animals are welcome inside the terminal. Customers who will be accompanied by an assistance animal or guide dog must make prior arrangements with the airline at the time of booking. We provide an Assistance Animal Relief Area in close proximity to the terminal. The Assistance Animal Relief Area is located adjacent to the Terminal car park lifts at the southern end of the customer drop-off area. We provide 2 Assistance Animal Relief Areas inside the Terminal, on level 2 in the domestic departures area (near Gate 16) and in the international departures area (near Gate 18).

Check-in

Upon arriving, proceed to the relevant check-in desk. For people using wheelchairs, selected check-in desks have been lowered to allow easier access. Airline staff will explain the process and location for transferring you to one of their wheelchairs, which is suitable for the aisle of the aircraft.

Several check-in desks have a Counter Hearing System (CHS) installed. The CHS unit can be used by both people who wear hearing aids and those who have a hearing impairment but do not wear hearing aids. The CHS unit consists of an amplifier, microphone, hearing loop, telephone handset and input connector for walkman headphone usage. These designated counters are fitted with a hearing loop for people who wear hearing aids with a “T” switch fitted (telecoil).  Alternately, the telephone handset can be used for listening or the user can use a “walkman” style headphone by plugging it in. Please ask airline check-in staff for assistance.

Security screening

All travellers and visitors, including those with a disability, must undergo security checks. Please advise the screening officer if you have a condition or need for special assistance. If you are able to walk through the security metal detectors without assistance, no additional provisions will be required. If you use a wheelchair or other form of mobility assistance device, the security officer will scan you with a hand held detector (for privacy, a room adjacent to the screening area is available on request). The assistive device will also be subject to security screening processes.

Waiting for your flight

To assist our customers with mobility movement throughout terminal 1, some airlines operate a ‘buggy’ (people mover) service to help customers reach their required departure gate. This service can be arranged by airline staff. Adelaide Airport has a large number of shops and restaurants – all easily accessible by people with disabilities.

There are escalators and elevators/ lifts in the Terminal for travelling between floors, and travelators (moving walkways) along the concourse. At each departure gate, nominated check-in counters and in designated areas of the retail/ restaurant precinct, ‘hearing loops’ enable people with hearing aids to have announcements amplified. In the unlikely event of an emergency, audible alarms will sound and an announcement made through the public address system. For people with hearing impairment, clear instructions will be displayed on the flight information display screens throughout the Terminal.

Further Information:
Adelaide Airport Limited.
1 James Schofield Drive
Adelaide Airport
South Australia 5950
Australia

Telephone: +61 88308 9211
Facsimile: +61 88308 9311.

This transcription was undertaken in by Print Alternatives Services of the Royal Society for the Blind of SA Incorporated (RSB) on behalf of Adelaide Airport Limited (AAL) under section 135ZP of the Copyright Act, 1968.

Boarding the aircraft

Most airlines provide special arrangements for passengers with disabilities, allowing them to board the aircraft first and disembark last via the passenger boarding bridge. Once on board the aircraft, flight attendants will be responsible for making your journey as comfortable as possible.

Domestic arrival and baggage claim

When flying to Adelaide Airport aboard a jet, disembarkation will be via the passenger boarding bridge into the terminal on level 2. Should you require a wheelchair or other assistance, please ensure the airline is made aware prior to your flight. Once inside the terminal, please proceed to baggage re-claim on the ground floor.

International arrival and baggage claim

When flying to Adelaide Airport, disembarkation will be via the passenger boarding bridge into the terminal on Level 1. Should you require a wheelchair or other assistance, please ensure your airline is made aware prior to your flight. Once inside the terminal, please proceed to Customs for passport checking and then to baggage re-claim on the ground floor.

Medical Travel Companions

Medical Travel Companions offers a concierge service for customers requiring assistance travelling.

Assistance is offered in the form of travel nannies; nurses or paramedics who will accompany customers on their flights to ensure a seamless journey.

This service is fully flexible and can be customised to suit every customer’s needs.

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