Order of the Ministry of Transport: planes will be more convenient for disabled passengers

On January 1, 2020, an order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on requirements for equipping passenger airplanes with facilities for low mobility passengers began to take effect.

According to the document, the requirements apply to planes of Russian and foreign production, which are manufactured and delivered under contracts concluded after January 1, 2020.

The following is noted in the list of requirements:

• At least one toilet on the aircraft must be adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. At the same time, a universal symbol in the form of a pictogram or tactile strip should be placed on or near the toilet door. Door handles, latches and locks should be controlled with one hand, and for their operation should not require precise finger movements, squeezing, gripping or twisting the wrist;
• a device for draining water and taps should be triggered automatically or controlled by a closed fist;
• the toilet should be equipped with a flight attendant call button;
• sanitary equipment (washbasin sink, mirror, containers for paper towels, toilet paper, soap dish, hooks) should be located at a height of from 700 to 1100 mm;
• the width of the toilet doorway should be greater than the width of the wheelchair provided by the carrier for movement on board the aircraft;
• the walls of the toilet should be equipped with safety rails;
• in the cabin in front of the door of the adapted toilet should be a place for the wheelchair to turn;
• the wheelchair must be equipped with reclining or removable footrests and armrests, a clamping device, stoppers or other means to prevent movement;
• the floor in the cabin must have a glare-free surface;
• letters and symbols should be painted in contrasting colors (light on a dark background or dark on a light background);
• the rows of passenger seats in the aircraft cabin should be indicated using tactile markings;
• aircraft must be equipped with passenger seats with armrests (lowering or rising) from the side of the aisle (at least 50% of the total number of seats).