MIA offers reduced mobility ­service to 50,000th passenger

A Briton with reduced mobility is the 50,000th person to be assisted at Malta International Airport since a service to transfer disabled people from aircraft to the terminal was introduced three years ago.

Jeffrey Shoesmith and his wife Cathleen, from Swindon, arrived on a flight from Bristol in the UK earlier this week. They have been holidaying in Malta every year ever since their first visit 10 years ago.

The airport offers a service for disabled people and persons with reduced mobility ensuring a seamless passage through the airport terminal to the aircraft and vice-versa. The service started in 2008 following EU legislation, the company said.

All MIA employees are certified to provide the service, which is sought by about one per cent of the airports passengers. The service is provided free of charge.