Passengers leaving Malta will be charged €0.46 (20c) from July 1 as part of EU-wide regulations to make airports more accessible for disabled persons.

Malta International Airport is introducing the regulation before the rest of Europe, which is implementing it on July 26, so as not to cause disruption during the peak season.

Julian Jaeger, MIA's chief executive, yesterday took the press on a virtual tour of this enhanced service, which ensures a seamless passage through the terminal for the disabled and those with reduced mobility.

The regulation (EC 1107/2006) stipulates that disabled persons and those with reduced mobility should have equal opportunities for air travel and "should not be refused transport on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility".

The cost charged by handling agents who help these people was previously absorbed by airlines but it will now be distributed on all departing passengers to eliminate the disincentive to airlines.

Mr Jaeger said MIA expected 4,500 passengers to use the new service in the first six months of its operation (July-December) but remained mum on how much handling agents used to charge the airline for every passenger, saying this was "confidential".

The tariff will be revised up or down every year depending on the number of passengers who use the service. MIA has invested €40,000 (Lm17,172) on the service and another €25,000 (Lm10,732) in training 70 ground handling personnel, staff of Air Malta and Globe Ground Malta, which were selected following an EU-wide call for tenders.

The new service includes several call points of assistance at the airport's car park level, the check-in area and the Arrivals halls in the Schengen and Non-Schengen areas.

MIA operations manager Robert Mizzi said priority seating has also been expanded at the check-in area and the Departures gates. The call points are connected directly to MIA's Customer Service Centre.

Mr Jaeger said MIA always provided dedicated services to persons with mobility problems but the enhanced services being adopted throughout all airports in EU countries fell in line with MIA's commitment to ensure a positive customer experience at the air terminal.

Those who need to use the new service can call MIA on 2369 6333.

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