The Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, through the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion, held a working meeting yesterday, Monday, with Aena, Turismo Lanzarote (SPEL), and different third-sector associations to address accessibility and attention to people with disabilities at the César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport. Among the proposals, it has asked Aena to consider the creation of a relaxation space for people with high sensitivity.
The meeting, led by the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, was attended by the CEO of Turismo Lanzarote, Héctor Fernández; the airport director, Maite Cuenca; and the chief of staff, Carlos Gala, representing Aena. The meeting is part of the Insular Strategy for Accessibility and Inclusion and continues the contacts previously held with the airport management.
Marci Acuña thanked the entities for their participation and Aena's willingness to listen to their contributions. “The associations know firsthand the difficulties faced by people with disabilities. Their proposals are fundamental to making our airport a more accessible space, both for the population of Lanzarote and La Graciosa and for those who visit us,” he pointed out.
During the session, Aena presented its services for people with disabilities and its invisible disabilities badge, active since 2018 and requested by more than 10,000 passengers so far this year. In addition, it highlighted the training of its staff to offer attention adapted to the needs of each user and the different spaces it has, such as rooms with changing tables for dependent adults or adapted restrooms for people with ostomies, among others.
Spaces adapted for people with high sensitivity
In view of the future expansion and renovation works announced by Aena, the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion and third sector entities raised the need to incorporate rooms specifically designed for people with high sensitivity, equipped with the necessary conditions to promote tranquility, rest, and sensory regulation for those who need them.
In this regard, Marci Acuña explained that “we have conveyed to Aena the importance that future actions include calm and relaxation spaces, correctly equipped and adapted to the needs of people with high sensitivity. We want associations and affected individuals themselves to be able to participate in the design of these spaces, so that the planned reforms respond to their real needs”.
For their part, the associations shared their experiences in airport facilities and put forward several proposals regarding the accessibility and attention of their users. Héctor Fernández highlighted the importance of this joint work, in line with the accessible tourism strategy developed by Turismo Lanzarote.
As a result of the meeting, the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion will provide Aena with the contact details of the participating associations so that they can formally convey their suggestions and establish a direct communication channel with the airport entity.
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