Building a more inclusive aviation industry

A collaborative partnership for change

The strength of INCLAVI lies in its diverse consortium of partners, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives to the project. Coordinated by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, the partnership includes Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), Ozyegin University, and Yasar University, representing the academic foundation necessary for curriculum development. The project is co-funded by European Union Erasmus+ programme.

“Our team feels committed to improving the quality of the air travel experience of persons with disabilities. Still, these passengers face unequal treatment and disrespect. The project is a great help to create more awareness and offers unique practical knowledge to staff and employees that interact with these passengers,” states Jos van der Sterren senior researcher at BUas.

The project's industry partners provide crucial real-world insights: IATA España SL, iGA Istanbul Airport and Careeria Oy. The European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) ensures that accessibility considerations remain at the forefront of all developments.

The project demonstrates that inclusion requires collaborative effort, combining academic expertise with industry knowledge and accessibility advocacy. 

Addressing critical skills gaps

INCLAVI tackles a fundamental problem in aviation: the skills mismatch that exists when serving passengers with disabilities. Despite legislative frameworks, many aviation professionals lack the specific knowledge and competencies needed to provide truly accessible services. This gap affects not only the passenger experience but also the industry's ability to comply with accessibility requirements and serve all travelers.

The project examened passenger journeys across all stages of travel and considered a much broader spectrum of disabilities than traditionally recognized in aviation education. By understanding these journeys in greater detail, INCLAVI creates a foundation for more effective training and service delivery throughout the sector.

Comprehensive impact and outcomes

INCLAVI's ambitious goals demonstrate its commitment to systemic change. The project has identified and benchmarked the top 30 training and education programs addressing disability skills in air transport, creating a foundation of best practices that informs curriculum development. This research-based approach ensures that the INCLAVI curriculum represents the most effective methods available.

INCLAVI aims to improve the travel experience for all passengers with disabilities annually during the project lifetime at iGA Istanbul Airport, who is a partner in the project. If the pilot is successful, there is potential for exponential growth as other aviation industry actors adopt the curriculum.  

The INCLAVI Curriculum: a free, learning resource

The INCLAVI Curriculum is available free of charge through the Haaga-Helia Online learning platform, this comprehensive program consists of 40 concise modules, each aligned with specific passenger journey touchpoints from booking to post-arrival. It covers physical, sensory, cognitive, and hidden disabilities through case-based, research-informed content that serves both industry professionals and educational institutions.

Accessibility extends to the curriculum itself, with feedback forms available in different languages, ensuring that learners from diverse backgrounds can engage meaningfully with the content and contribute to its continuous improvement.

Creating lasting change

INCLAVI represents more than a training program; it's a catalyst for cultural and operational transformation in aviation. By providing policy recommendations and ensuring long-term validity through certification, the project creates sustainable change that will benefit passengers with disabilities for years to come.

For more information about INCLAVI and to access the free curriculum, visit www.inclavi.eu
 

More publication and research output as part of this project is available on Pure. 
https://pure.buas.nl/en/projects/inclusive-aviation