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Passengers with Special Needs

Passengers with special needs and reduced mobility

Special assistance is available to passengers who may need help to travel such as the elderly‚ those people with a physical disability‚ such as wheelchair users‚ and those who have difficulty with social interaction and communication‚ such as those with autism.

Passengers who want special assistance should aim to give Skyward Express 48 hours’ notice of the help they require.

Passengers can request for assistance when making a reservation. Upon arrival at the Check-In counter‚ simply notify our staff that you require assistance.

To allow Skyward to provide you with the best possible service‚ we ask that you allow sufficient time for check-in and boarding. It is best that you arrive at the Check-In counter at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Travelling with own wheelchair or mobility aid

If you are travelling with your own mobility equipment (including wheelchair‚ crutches‚ walkers or other mobility aids) you will be able to bring them free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance.

Space permitting‚ mobility aids that meet the size and weight restriction for the approved cabin storage space can be brought on board.

Walking canes or crutches must be stowed under your seat prior to takeoff and landing. Canes or crutches must lie flat on the floor and should not block emergency exits or protrude into the aisle.

wheelchair

When travelling with your own wheelchair‚ whether battery-powered or manual‚ it is important to have the following information ready:

  • The dimensions of your personal mobility device including height‚ width‚ and length
  • The weight of your wheelchair or scooter
  • The battery type (if applicable)

Manual Wheelchairs

You may check your folding or manual wheelchair either at Check-In or at the gate and use a service wheelchair for travel within the airport.

If you choose to drop off your wheelchair at Check-In‚ you will be provided with a service wheelchair and assisted to the departure gate by one of our staff.

If you would prefer to use your personal wheelchair within the airport‚ you can arrange to have it checked at the departure gate. Your wheelchair will be returned to you at your destination gate.

Battery Operated Wheelchairs

In the event that we need to prepare your battery-operated wheelchair or scooter for stowage‚ it will need to be checked at the airport counter. Our staff will assist you to the departure gate with a service wheelchair.

Some disassembly of your wheelchair may be required. This may include disconnection and connection of the battery in accordance with Dangerous Goods requirements.

If disassembly of the wheelchair is required‚ you will need to be present during the disassembly and reassembly of the device.

We recommend that you bring the manufacturer’s assembly/disassembly instructions with you to the airport and attach them‚ along with wheelchair’s specific battery type‚ to the wheelchair.

We also recommend that you take the detachable items‚ such as seat cushions and footrests with you on board the aircraft.

If you have dropped off your battery-operated wheelchair or scooter at Check-in‚ it will be returned to you at Baggage Claim upon arrival at your final destination.

Important battery information

  1. Spillable batteries (Wet cell/acid)

We do not transport wet cell batteries‚ or any battery that is damaged or leaking.

  1. Non-spillable batteries (Dry cell/gel)

Passengers may bring wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids with dry cell or gel‚ non-spillable batteries‚ as checked baggage when:

a) Battery is disconnected.
b) Terminals are protected from short circuits.
c) Battery is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.

 

  1. Lithium-ion batteries

If the wheelchair or mobility aid contains a lithium battery (or batteries) that is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid the battery may remain installed in the wheelchair.
The wheelchair or mobility aid may then be carried as checked baggage provided:

  1. The battery terminals are protected from short circuits
  2. The battery is securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid

Where a lithium-ion battery-powered mobility aid is specifically designed to allow its battery (or batteries) to be removed by the user (e.g. collapsible):

The battery must be removed. The wheelchair/ mobility aid may then be carried as checked baggage without restriction.

The battery must be protected from short circuit by insulating the terminals (e.g. by taping over exposed terminals).

The removed battery must be protected from damage (e.g. by placing each battery in a protective pouch). The battery must be carried in the passenger cabin.

Removal of the battery from the device must be performed by following the instructions of the manufacturer or device owner.

The battery must not exceed 300 Wh‚ or for a device that is fitted with two batteries required for operation‚ each battery must not exceed 160 Wh.

A maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spares each not exceeding 160 Wh may be carried.