Hamad International Airport (HIA) will be opening a special handling lounge focused on the requirements of passengers with learning disabilities and autism. The announcement follows a partnership struck up between the Qatari airport and the Shafallah Center, one of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work’s (QFSW) affiliated centres.
Both parties formalised their partnership on Monday (June 11), with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
In the MoU, HIA committed to adding the special handling lounge, with the centre overseeing its set up to ‘ensure the comfort and convenience’ of the passengers it serves. According to the airport, which is the second busiest in the Middle East, the lounge will feature certain aspects of a sensory room, specially designed to be used for the therapy for children with limited communication skills, including electronic carpets, which allow children to play games and activities.
Shafallah Center will also provide specialised training for ground handling staff at HIA on how to provide special care and assistance to passengers with special needs including those with autism.
Source: International Airport Review