Manchester Airport is trialling Eagle 2 Hoist devices, which have been designed to improve the accessibility of passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) by transferring them from a wheelchair to their aircraft seat.
Manchester Airport and its service partner Outsourced Client Solutions (OCS) have launched a month long trial of new specialist hoist technology, specially designed to improve the service, safety and accessibility of passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs).
Eagle 2 Hoist devices, created by Australian company Haycomp, provide a safe and efficient way of transferring PRMs from a wheelchair to their aircraft seat.
The Eagle hoist is designed for use in mainline commercial jets with three seats each side, and wide-bodied aircraft. It also has the ability to extend in length to accommodate longer seat pitches in business and first class, and can lift passengers over fixed armrests.
“Everyone at Manchester Airport puts the customer at the centre of everything they do, which is why we have decided to introduce this trial period to assess how effective the hoists are and how many passengers they can help assist,” explained Collete Roche, Director of Security and Customer Services for Manchester Airport.
OCS provides the Special Assistance Service on behalf of Manchester Airport. Last month, they assisted with 32,992 passenger movements and annually assist more than 280,000.
The trial has already started, and will be running until December 5. During the trial, the hoist can be pre-booked between 04:00 and 22:00 daily, and should be booked 48 hours prior to travelling.
