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Types of assistance

The international airlines association (IATA, International Air Transport Association) classifies special needs as described by the following key:

  • WCHR (wheel chair ramp) = passenger who can walk independently within the aircraft as well as descend and ascend stairs, but who needs a wheelchair or other means of transport to move for long distances within the terminal;
  • WCHS (wheel chair steps) = passenger who can walk independently within the aircraft but who cannot descend or ascend stairs and who needs a wheelchair or other means of transport to move around the terminal;
  • WCHC (wheel chair cabin seat) = passenger who is immobilised and needs a wheelchair to move around and requires assistance from the moment of arrival at the airport until the end of the flight, and also to leave the airport;
  • DEAF = passenger with hearing impairment, or hearing and speech impairment;
  • BLIND = passenger with visual impairment (differentiating between blind and visually impaired);
  • DEAF/BLIND = passenger with impaired vision and hearing and who needs the assistance of a support service provider to move around;
  • DPNA = passenger with intellectual or developmental disability.
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