Airports serve as critical national infrastructures. The rising trend of air travel among the elderly prompts vital considerations regarding their compatibility with airport facilities. Recent studies, including one presented at the 7th Biennial International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering, Science, and Technology (ICETEST 2023), have highlighted essential amenities for older travelers. These include priority seating at gates, enhanced signage, ample resting areas, sheltered walkways, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.

As the global population ages—a trend underscored in a myriad of studies—it becomes decisive for airports to offer accessible, efficient, and comfortable facilities for the elderly. The increasing significance of the senior market stems not only from demographic shifts toward an older population but also from a change in the behavior of older adults, who are remaining more active than ever.

Given these developments, the tourism industry must prioritize understanding the travel preferences of older adults. This insight will enable the adaptation of existing tourism products to better meet the needs of this growing demographic. 

Challenges for Older Travelers

While older adults today may be healthier in some ways than previous generations, they are still prone to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity. These conditions can significantly hinder their ability to navigate airports. 

Age-related changes, including muscle and skeletal degradation, respiratory conditions, and declines in vision and hearing, also impact how they interact with their environment. Additionally, psychological issues like anxiety and decreased adaptability to change play a key role in their mobility. 

Furthermore, the stress associated with travel can be particularly overwhelming for older individuals.

Better Accessibility for Senior Travelers

Airports could significantly enhance accessibility for older travelers by refining several key aspects. This includes improving step-by-step signage that accounts for age-related physical limitations, incorporating senior-friendly technology and equipment, and optimizing transportation and service options throughout the airport. 

Many of these improvements require minimal effort—primarily a shift towards simpler, clearer solutions that address the specific mobility and perceptual needs of seniors.

Streamlining Security Procedures for Seniors

One of the greatest challenges for elderly travelers at airports involves managing luggage and navigating security procedures efficiently. An ideal solution would involve home luggage collection services, although this raises security concerns if not properly managed. Alternatively, third-party services could streamline this process by ensuring luggage is securely transported directly to the airport, where it undergoes security checks and is then loaded onto the aircraft, with check-in procedures completed in advance.

In Europe, some airports offer remote terminals in city centers or major transport hubs where travelers can check their luggage before taking transportation to the airport. 

In the United States, the TSA Cares program provides special assistance during the security screening process for travelers with mobility issues, mental or cognitive conditions, or ASD-related needs, ensuring a smoother and more dignified experience. 

A fully automated passenger screening (APS) solution developed by Rohde & Schwarz and dormakaba can help ease the security check experience for all travelers, including those with special needs. Currently being tested in US and European airports, it allows the available security personnel at the checkpoints to display a more personalized treatment to those passengers who really require it.

Clear Communication and Instructions

Effective communication for senior travelers begins with clear and legible signage to ensure a stress-free travel experience. It’s crucial to prioritize the hierarchy of signage to distinguish directional information from promotional displays clearly. The choice of colors is vital, as older adults may struggle with distinguishing subtle pastel shades; brighter, more distinct colors are preferred. Additionally, the placement of signs should be strategic to facilitate immediate comprehension.

Text size should be sufficiently large to enable easy reading from a distance. Often, maps are overly complex and challenging to decipher; simplifying these can make navigation more manageable for seniors. Regarding information requests, many older adults prefer to interact with staff at information desks rather than using touchscreens, unless these digital interfaces are exceptionally user-friendly and intuitive. This approach to communication and signage can greatly improve the airport experience for elderly passengers. 

Staff Training for Elderly Assistance

Effective training programs for airport security personnel are critical, particularly for ensuring compassionate and skilled assistance to elderly travelers, who may be more vulnerable or require additional support. Patience and knowledge are fundamental traits that staff must exhibit to aid those in need effectively. Comprehensive training enables staff to handle unexpected situations gracefully and with expertise.

Moreover, continual professional development is key for keeping security personnel updated on the latest technologies and procedures. This ongoing training not only sharpens their skills but also fosters a sense of confidence and trust in interactions with all travelers, ensuring a supportive and secure environment for the elderly. This approach underscores the importance of empathy and competence in enhancing the travel experience for senior passengers.

Enhancing Accessibility from the Start

The airport experience for senior travelers should begin before they even enter the terminal. Misleading or outdated signage, for instance, can create unnecessary confusion. 

The complexity of airport layouts, frequent changes in airline gate assignments, and the multiple options for transportation like shuttles and rental services add to the navigational challenges faced by elderly passengers. Efficient signage and clear, up-to-date information are essential from the moment they approach the airport.

Navigational Challenges in Parking and Initial Airport Access 

Parking often presents the first significant barrier; the more affordable remote parking options force seniors to contend with potentially harsh weather conditions and shuttle buses. Once at the terminal, the absence of readily available luggage trolleys can further complicate their journey. 

Implementing simple solutions such as dedicated ramps, priority security lanes, and assistance from staff specifically trained to handle wheelchairs and luggage can significantly alleviate these initial hurdles.

Age-Friendly Technological Solutions 

While technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing structural processes and security measures at airports, it must be accessible and understandable to those who are not daily users. Simplifying technology to cater to the elderly, with clear instructions and support, is essential for it to serve as a reliable safety tool. This approach ensures that senior travelers can benefit from technological advancements without feeling overwhelmed or excluded.

Smartphone applications with gate information such as FlightTrack can help them choose even the most convenient parking and helping in the accessibility of all flight information.

Collaboration with Senior Advocacy Groups

Airports alone cannot fully address the needs of senior travelers; a collaborative approach is essential. Airlines, cabin designers, signage manufacturers, and others should work in concert to create environments that accommodate the elderly from the moment they arrive at the airport to the time they board their flights. 

Ongoing projects are addressing mobility challenges, such as developing adaptable seating that allows people with mobility issues to remain in their wheelchairs during flights instead of transferring to standard seats. 

Efforts are also underway to design more accommodating bathrooms on planes, building on regulations established in 1990 that require widebody or multi-aisle planes to have larger, accessible restrooms. The aim is to extend these standards to single-aisle aircraft as well.

While these improvements may not be immediate, it is of paramount importance to plan with the future in mind. Today’s young travelers will become the elderly of tomorrow. For the past three years, efforts to enhance accessibility and safety have been gaining momentum, ensuring that advancements continue to evolve with demographic shifts and technological possibilities.