Brussels: ACI EUROPE, the trade association representing Europe’s airports, today launched the ACI EUROPE Charter for Inclusion, the world’s first sector‑specific commitment to promoting diversity, accessibility, and inclusion within the airport industry.

The Charter calls on airports across Europe to embrace inclusion in every aspect of their operations, services, and design to best cater to passengers with diverse needs. It is a bold and comprehensive framework that goes beyond legal standards to create truly inclusive environments, ensuring that every passenger — regardless of origin, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, or other personal characteristics — can enjoy a seamless and dignified travel experience.

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 outlines several core principles that will guide airports in their efforts to nurture inclusivity, including:

• Inclusive Design: Airports will prioritise universal design principles to ensure facilities are welcoming, accessible, and usable for all passengers.
• Accessibility for All Abilities: Airports will go above and beyond regulatory standards, offering innovative solutions for passengers with visible and non‑visible disabilities.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Airports will create environments that respect and celebrate cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, providing multilingual services and culturally appropriate facilities.

• Gender Equality & Family Inclusion: Airports will ensure equality and support for diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and family structures, including dedicated facilities for families with children.

• Customer‑Centric Experience: A personalised approach to customer service will address each passenger’s unique needs and preferences.

The Charter also emphasises the importance of workforce empowerment, stakeholder collaboration — as well as highlighting airports commitment to across‑the‑board sustainability in creating inclusive airports. ACI EUROPE members will on the basis of the Charter work together to foster a culture of inclusivity, ensuring that airports not only meet but exceed the expectations of all passengers.

Chairwoman of the ACI EUROPE Facilitation and Customer Services Committee and daa’s Head of Marketing, Louise Bannon commented: “We are excited to see the initiative of our Committee take shape, and to work alongside airport colleagues and the ACI EUROPE team to provide ambitious but pragmatic guidance to airports, ensuring that inclusion becomes a cornerstone of the air travel experience. European airports are proud to take the lead in this global movement, demonstrating their commitment to building a future where every passenger is treated with dignity and respect”.