The UK Civil Aviation Authority has recorded broad improvement in airport accessibility across the country, with 14 of 28 UK airports rated Good and 11 rated Very Good in its latest annual review. London Heathrow, Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick were placed in the Needs Improvement category, while no airport was rated Poor for a second consecutive year.
The assessment covers airports handling more than 150,000 passengers in calendar year 2024 and measures performance from April 2024 to March 2025. Bristol, Liverpool, Norwich, Cardiff and London Gatwick, which were previously in the Needs Improvement band, moved up to Good or Very Good. The CAA framed the findings against rising demand for assistance services, with more passengers than ever requesting help, making accessibility a day-to-day operational issue for UK airports.
Heathrow’s performance was mixed across terminals. Service levels were generally good at Terminals 2, 4 and 5, but the regulator was unable to confirm that Terminal 3 waiting-time data accurately reflected the service provided, leaving compliance there unclear. At Glasgow Prestwick, the airport fell short of standards on consultation with disabled groups and individuals, although it has since committed to establishing an Access Forum. The report provides a benchmark for how airports are coping with accessibility obligations for disabled and less mobile passengers.