Cork Airport — December 11, 2024 — Cork Airport is proud to collaborate with Crohn's & Colitis Ireland (CCI), being the first airport to receive specialist training for airport security staff. This initiative aims to significantly improve the travel experience for passengers living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including those with stoma bags.
With this partnership, Cork Airport's Search Unit team members will undergo comprehensive training provided by CCI. This training will equip staff with the knowledge and skills to handle the unique needs of passengers with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Following the training, airport security staff will be educated on the challenges faced by passengers with IBD; best practices for handling medical supplies and stoma bags and effective communication techniques to ensure a respectful and supportive environment.
Traveling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease can be daunting for passengers, and following this programme of training and support, airport security staff will continue to offer their famous a smooth experience. Cork Airport and CCI are committed to making travel easier for passengers with IBD by:
- Offering private search facilities for passengers travelling with stoma bags.
- Accepting the Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland "No Wait" cards in multiple languages to help passengers access facilities quickly.
- Ensuring that passengers can carry their medication and medical supplies without hinderance.
- Offering guidance on managing travel-related challenges such as locating the nearest toilet should the passenger be in an urgent situation, and medication storage.
Amy Kelly, COO of Crohn's & Colitis Ireland said: "Our members have brought to our attention the challenges they face when traveling, particularly in airport settings, due to a lack of training among staff regarding stoma bags and the unique needs of passengers with inflammatory bowel disease. When we approached Cork Airport, we were met with a positive and immediate response. It is incredibly encouraging to see how quickly they have worked with us to enhance their staff training, and we are proud to partner with Cork Airport to improve the travel experience for passengers with stomas. This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that all passengers, no matter their health condition, are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Sue Crowley, ASU and Airport Resource Planning Manager added: “At Cork Airport, our primary focus is to ensure that all our passengers have a safe and pleasant airport experience. By having this opportunity to work with Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, our passenger security teams will benefit from expert training and guidance on how to assist passengers with inflammatory bowel disease. We’re very proud to be the first airport in Ireland to work with Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland (CCI) to ensure our staff continue to offer a compliant, compassionate, and customer-friendly service.”
