OREANDA-NEWS. Basel Aero, a part of Russia's industrial diversified group Basic Element, announces that Sochi International Airport welcomed the first seven flights with Paralympic athletes on February 16-17.

Over 100 Paralympians onboard Donavia, Yuakita, UTair and Aeroflot-operated flights arrived in Sochi from Pulkovo and Sheremetyevo airports in St.Petersburg and Moscow on February 16-17. The athletes were served during no more than 30 minutes upon arrival.

Paralympians with reduced mobility proceeded to baggage claim area via telebridges. The athletes claimed their baggage within 15 minutes as the paramedics and volunteers helped the guests.

Since 2011, Basel Aero airports have been implementing accessibility program. The airport have been tested by numerous athletes with disabilities who visited Sochi during 2012/2013 season of test competitions including sledge hockey, Paralympic curling, biathlon etc.

As part of the navigation package for the blind, the airport is equipped with tactile footpaths throughout the building. Three mnemonic schemes featuring Braille letters, are installed near the entrance and inside the terminal. The disabled can familiarise with the airport facilities using these schemes.

Basel Aero has also introduced a preferential queue and a dedicated security check point for passengers with disabilities. The personnel, manning the checkpoint, have undergone disability awareness training.

The airport also features a total of 20 accessible toilets with 16 of them located across domestic and international terminals and four in the business lounge and a VIP terminal.

One of the signature features of recent renovations are paramedics who will help passengers with special needs during check-in, security checks and transfer from the departure lounge to an aircraft.

The opening ceremony of the 11th Winter Paralympic Games kicks off on March 7. Over 1,350 Paralympic athletes from 45 countries will compete for 72 sets of medals. According to Russian Paralympic Committee, Russian team will boast 197 people including 70 athletes. It's Russia's biggest Paralympic delegation since 1994.

Paralympic Torch Relay which starts on February 26, will include 46 Russian cities with 1,700 torch bearers. The final torch bearer will lit up Paralympics cauldron on March 7 in Sochi.