Special Assistance

Special assistance

Before you fly

When you make your travel arrangements, it's important to let your airline or travel agent know if you need special assistance.

Your airline or travel agent can then make sure you're well cared for, including booking a wheelchair for you or reserving a specific seating requirement for a guide dog. You may be required to obtain a medical clearance and complete a medical clearance form to access some services. Please present these at check-in.

    Canberra Airport is committed to providing a terminal that it accessible to all members of the community. If you require special assistance or a wheelchair when departing or arriving, please contact our customer service team in advance on 02 6275 2226.

    To and from the airport

    Drop off

    Passenger drop-off is kerbside on Level 2 (the upper level of the road system). This is the departures level and provides easy access to the check-in hall and departure gates. Road ramps along the drop-off assist people with mobility impairment to the pavement. Due to security restrictions, vehicles must not be left unattended while kerbside at any time.

    Special assistance kerbside pick-up

    Where passengers or guests require special assistance for kerbside access, this service can be prearranged. The service is for:

    • people with a mobility impairment
    • people with a medical condition
    • the elderly.

    To arrange kerbside special assistance, email customerservice@canberraairport.com.au or phone (02) 6275 2226 or 0411 863 041.

    Our carpark customer service office is located on the ground floor kerbside. Help assistance buttons are located at the entry/exit gates to all carparks and at pay machines within our terminal carparks.

    Parking

    Accessible parking is available in all four airport car parks. Our pay machines have been designed for use by people in wheelchairs, however, if you experience difficulty with the ticket or pay machines, press the help button and a customer service team member will assist.

    Taxi

    The taxi rank is located on the ground floor of the road system. It is staffed by taxi commissioners during peak periods who are able to arrange a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) upon request, although it may be a short wait. A pre-booked service for a WAT vehicle can be arranged in advance through a taxi network.

    Public bus

    Transport Canberra’s ACTION buses offer a regular service to the terminal. The bus stop is located kerbside on the ground floor. Head to the ACTION website for information on accessible travel.

    In the terminal

    Security screening

    Passengers and visitors accessing the departures concourse must be security screened. The security officers at Canberra Airport are fully trained in special screening methods for persons with disabilities or special needs.

    If you require special assistance during screening, it's important to advise staff prior to screening. If you're in a wheelchair, a hand search will be required. A private screening area is available for use upon request.

    Facilities

    The airport terminal is fitted with multiple lifts and escalators for ease of access.

    Hearing loops have been installed at boarding gates, baggage claim belts, check-in counters and in retail areas.

    The terminal also features:

    • disabled toilets
    • tactile ground surfaces
    • flight information displays
    • televisions with text captioning
    • public telephones with teletypewriter (TTY) capability.

    Our passenger boarding bridges are equipped with lifts so people with mobility equipment can access their aircraft with ease.

    Boarding and disembarking your aircraft

    Your airline will provide you with special assistance as required. Special boarding and disembarking arrangements can be made at the time you book with your airline, to ensure a stress-free journey.

    Travelling with an assistance animal

    Travelling with an assistance animal

    We welcome assistance animals inside our terminal. If you're travelling with an assistance animal, you must advise your airline at the time of booking your flight/s.

    Assistance animals are required to proceed through security screening. Security screening guidelines allow an assistance animal to remain with their owner during the passenger screening process. Screening of the assistance animal may involve a physical search including objects attached to the animal such as its harness, collar or bags. Items which can be readily removed from an assistance animal will be subjected to X-ray screening.

    Domestic pets are not permitted within the terminal.

    Disability Access Facilitation Plan

    More information for mobility-impaired users of Canberra Airport can be found in our Disability Access Facilitation Plan.

    View the plan