Manchester Airport launches new airport awareness video

The Airport Awareness initiative was originally launched in 2009 and has now been refreshed to include a booklet and video for each of the three terminals. Singer and actor Keith Duffy is backing Manchester Airport’s Awareness initiative and appears in the videos.

Keith said: “I’ve been actively fundraising and raising awareness for children with autism for many years now, ever since my daughter Mia was diagnosed in 2001. I think it’s brilliant what Manchester Airport is doing to help both children and parents affected by autism.

“This initiative will make a real difference to families travelling through the airport and I’m delighted to be supporting Manchester Airport with this.”

The booklets and videos show a typical scenario from arriving at the airport to checking in, going through security, boarding the plane and the return journey. Chronological information about each stage of travelling through the airport is featured, the booklets are also illustrated with photographs and the video is voiced by Keith Duffy.

Manchester Airport’s Customer Services Director, Tricia Williams said: “This initiative is unique to Manchester Airport and following feedback from parents and carers who have in previous years used our booklet, we decided to create accompanying videos to provide a visual aid as well.

“We appreciate that an airport can be a very confusing and even frightening place for someone on the autistic spectrum so we have worked with local autism organisations over the last few years to help autistic children and their families as much as we can when they are travelling through our airport.

“The booklets and videos allow parents to plan their journey with their child, helping them to understand what to expect when they arrive at, travel through and return to Manchester Airport and we’re delighted that this initiative has already received so much positive feedback.”

Hard copies of the booklets can be requested free of charge via Manchester Airport’s Customer Contact Centre on 08714 777 747 or email [email protected] or alternatively they are available to download from www.manchesterairport.co.uk where the videos can also be viewed.