The ECAC Quality Assessment Programme on the Assistance to Persons with Reduced Mobility aims to foster equal access to air transport for the steadily rising number of persons with reduced mobility (PRMs) in the aviation sector. Its main objective is to support ECAC Member States in their compliance monitoring activities of operators (e.g. airport operators, air carriers), providing an assistance service for persons with disabilities and PRMs to ensure that it is of sufficient quality. The programme was launched in 2024, following two successful pilot phases running from 2019 to 2023.
Assessments are conducted by certified ECAC assessors who have successfully completed the training and certification course that was first introduced in October 2023. The assessment is based on the recommendations set out in ECAC Doc 30, Part I (Facilitation), Section 5: Facilitation of the Transport of Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Reduced Mobility, which are consistent with ICAO standards and other relevant regulation in this area. The programme is open to all ECAC Member States.
In 2024, two assessments were carried out, hosted by Ireland and by Lithuania. Initial themes covered included airport design, website information, training, complaints handling, and the transmission of information. Further assessments were conducted at Berlin Airport in May 2025, and at Vilnius Airport in September 2025, and an additional assessment is expected to take place at Warsaw Airport in 2025.
