Gatwick champions a new Family Friendly scheme
2011-07-13
Gatwick has become one of a number of leading organisations and service providers and the only UK airport, to join a new Family Friendly scheme launched by the Family and Parenting Institute. The aim of the scheme is a simple one: To make the UK more family friendly.
Since Gatwick changed ownership in December of 2009, it has pledged its commitment to improving the passenger experience to, through and from Gatwick airport and, as the busiest single runway airport offering families the choice of over 200 holiday destinations, it's fitting Gatwick should become an important part of the scheme.
Over the last 18 months, Gatwick has introduced a number of family friendly initiatives which are aimed at removing the stress from travel for families, especially those with young children who can become fractious at a moment's notice! In Spring last year, Gatwick became the only UK airport to create separate security lanes – “Assistance lanes” - which are designed to offer families travelling with young children in buggies extra help through security after they have checked-in. Earlier this year, Gatwick went a stage further and created dedicated “kids’ zones” in the departure lounges of both the terminals, these are designed for children aged between 0-5 years to let parents and guardians relax while their children are being suitably entertained.
Both initiatives received good, positive feedback from passengers. Over 90% of passengers surveyed who used the “kids’ zones” rated the facility as excellent or good and commented the areas help keep their children occupied and away from other passengers, which in turn helps parents to relax.
Stewart Wingate, the chief executive of Gatwick Airport said: “Millions of families choose to travel through Gatwick airport every year. We realise that travelling with children can be stressful, so we’re going out of our way to make their journey through the airport more enjoyable.
“We’re also doing everything we can to help our employees balance their home and family commitments with the great job they do at Gatwick. That’s why we’re proud to be supporting the Family Friendly scheme.”
What will Gatwick do as an integral part of the Family Friendly scheme? Gatwick has pledged to introduce a number of new initiatives or enhance existing facilities in 2011 to improve the experience of families travelling through the airport and provide support to its staff.
These commitments include:
• Modernising all baby changing areas across both terminals
• Trialing the provision of airside prams for arriving passengers with toddlers
• Providing play areas for children aged between 5 – 11 in both terminals
• Providing facilities for 'teenagers' with mobile/laptop charging points and large screens to host interactive games consoles
• Developing specific seating areas for passengers with young children to create family only areas with appropriate baby/toddler feeding facilities
• Offering a pre-booked 'porter service' for departing family passengers to take care of luggage and escort the family members through the terminals
• Working with on-airport retail and catering outlets to seek discounted deals for families
• Reviewing policies on maternity, paternity and flexible working.
Add this to the hotel and airport parking and the other dedicated services offered by APH for passengers travelling from Gatwick and families will certainly have an easier and more enjoyable time of it.
