OREANDA-NEWS. January 23, 2013. Moscow Domodedovo Airport records passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) traffic surge, travelled through Domodedovo. 36,7 thousand passengers with reduced mobility used the services of Domodedovo airport in 2012, a 27,4 % increase from 2011.

Totally, the number of mobility-impaired passengers who applied for special services tripled during the last five years — from 11,8 thousand (2007) up to 36,7 thousand (2012).

Domodedovo regards care of airport passengers as a goal of high priority. Professional team of the airport Physically Challenged Passenger Service works hard to improve airport accessibility. Established in 2003, this Service today consists of more than 50 employees. They work to provide the most comfortable and quick services on check-in, customs and immigration control, baggage check-in and attend the passengers to (from) the aircraft. Such services may be ordered while purchasing the ticket or at any check-in counter, information stand or medical service office of the passenger terminal. The airport provides such services free of charge.

For passengers with reduced mobility and their accompanying people who arrive on their own cars Domodedovo provides 578 parking places (10% of the total parking capacity). In case of need passenger can apply to parking service for assistance by phone: 8 916 509 52 93. The parking service is free of charge. For this purpose passenger provides the following documents to the Information desk (in the middle of passenger terminal): a certificate from the Medical Expert Commission, vehicle registration certificate, identity documents, parking ticket, received at the parking lot entrance.

In 2012 Domodedovo Airport obtained 4 modern specialist lifts, known as ambulifts (Mercedes-Benz Atego), which are used to help passengers with reduced mobility embark on and disembark from aircraft. Ambulifts are equipped with warm cabins which help disabled passengers comfortably move from Domodedovo terminal onto board of aircraft in any weather. New models of ambulifts are able to transit passengers with reduced mobility onto any type of the airplanes flown to Domodedovo. Entrance to lower deck is able at Airbus A380.

For physically challenged passengers comfort 2 new modern minibuses equipped with electro-hydraulic platform for wheelchair users were set into service. Minibus capacity is 5 seats with heater elements and wheelchair faster kit.

Domodedovo first among airports of Russia launched an induction system for passengers with hearing disabilities which enables them to receive messages announced in all major airport zones.

For the nearest future airport has planned to equip special toilets and bathrooms with help automatic door opening buttons for wheelchair passengers’ comfort.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport appreciates long-standing confidence of passengers and continuously enhances its infrastructure for passengers with reduced mobility: currently, it implements several projects to create a unified safe route for mobility challenged persons, covered areas and entrance ramps in the parking lot, the system of Braille script signs, reference books and route maps. Special information stands, trade sections and airbridges are equipped to meet the needs of mobility disabled passengers.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport - is the largest one of Russia, in 2012 airport served 28,2 million people. It joins the category of the largest airports in Europe on the classification of the Airports Council International (ACI). Domodedovo is chosen for flights by member airlines of two largest global airline alliances – oneworld and Star Alliance.