There are important changes to the services that all European Airports are obliged to offer regarding the passage of disabled passengers through the airport.

Below is a brief summary of the changes as explained to us and our understanding of how it affects clients passing through Tenerife South Airport in particular.

Until now the Airport Assistance Service has stopped as soon as the client gets through Passport Control and the client is left without help or wheelchair to take them through the baggage area and out to their transport. This is where the Orange Badge Service has started and we offer help with baggage collection, lost bags and help with wheelchairs (often using our own wheelchairs) out to the special OrangeBus transport that we own and run with English drivers.

Due to new EU legislation from the end of July 2008 ALL European airports will be obliged to give free help through the airport to all those who ask for it. In order for you or your clients to be identified as requiring help you should register with your airline.

To get this assistance you must phone the airlines Special Needs department to register as a PMR (or PRM Person of Reduced Mobility). IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER WITH YOUR AIRLINE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE HELP THROUGH THE AIRPORT.

Once registered it means that the airport is supposed to help you off from the plane and through the airport, including giving help with your baggage collection, and out of the baggage collection hall to a meeting point outside the baggage collection hall. You will still probably need the services of Orange Badge Airport Team to get you from the meeting point to your Orange Bus, or whatever transport has been arranged.

At present here in Tenerife South, they are still deciding exactly where the new airport service is going to stop and the existing Orange Badge Service takes over. Rest assured we are working very closely with the Airport Directors so that wherever the Airport Assistance Service finally terminates Orange Badge will be there to take over and help you through onto our own special Orangebus transport. You will not have to worry at all about your bags or walking to your transport. Please call us if you have any queries or concerns as to how the new service affects your clients.

If you are not already working with Orange Badge or Orange Bus on an agency or affiliate basis, please get in contact through our websites (www.orangebadge.com or www.orangebus.eu )or directly with the office by phone on (0034) 922 797355 to find out how you can help your elderly and disabled clients whilst making some commissions.

Hope you found the above useful and would be grateful if you could pass on this information to anyone who may benefit from it.

Below is a list of some of the phone numbers of the special needs departments. 

Special Needs Departments:-

Thomson    

Thomson package holidays:      0871 231 4691

Thomson accommodation only: 0800 072 0040

Thomsonfly (flight only):            0871 231 4869

First Choice            0871 6640143

Thomas Cook       Before booking:     0844 8550515

                             After Booking:       0870 513 3102

Cosmos                 0871 4238422

XL Airways             0871 911 4221

Monarch                08700 405040

Easyjet                  0871 2442366

Avro                      0871 423 8550 or 0161209 4259

Jet2                       0203 031 8103

Globespan            0131 466 7609

Information from www.orangebadge.com