Accessible Travel at iGA Istanbul Airport – A Barrier-Free Experience

Book assistance 24 hours ahead of arrival to secure barrier-free navigation at iGA Istanbul Airport. Being prepared helps staff arrange accessible routes within the terminal, ensuring safety and smooth operation from the moment you land. This step has been recommended by accessibility teams as a first move for travelers who require barrier-free experiences.

The airport provides a broad range of services for travelers with disabilities, including dedicated information desks, communication channels, and guided assistance. Voice prompts and tactile signage run throughout the terminal to help navigation, while staff coordinate with safety officers to maintain calm during peak times. We believe accessibility improves safety and creates tangible opportunities for economic inclusion and better overall travel experiences.

iGA Istanbul Airport collaborates with organizations and disability groups on a project to expand accessibility features. These partnerships create opportunities for passengers and staff alike, and they ground the operation in real user feedback. By collecting the voice of travelers and staff, the airport can adapt signage, lighting, and restrooms to be more inclusive.

Practical steps for travelers include requesting assistance at check-in, using the dedicated porter or mobility services, and choosing routes with visible floor markings and accessible elevators. For staff, establishing a single point of contact for accessibility requests speeds communication and clarifies operations. The aim is to provide consistent safety, reduce wait times, and keep passenger flow moving smoothly, which supports the economic efficiency of the airport.

Adopters will find this approach inspiring, with visible results like quicker access to gates, safer handling of mobility devices, and clearer information. iGA’s plan has been shaped by projects focused on accessibility, and the ongoing work indicates a commitment to being welcoming to all travelers within a busy, dynamic operation.

Sign Language Contest: Registration Steps, Eligibility, and Schedule at iGA Istanbul Airport

This is part of todays planning, the council leadership, with inputs from abrahamsson and samsunlu, received feedback from other stakeholders to guide services and signage regarding accessibility for customers and children across spaces and events. It tracks the covid curve, applies safety measures, and uses a clear transfer of information to cope with crowds. The mean of these efforts includes various initiatives that strengthen knowledge and leadership within aviation operations and agreements across teams. This approach adds strength to the social mission and yields significant gains for customers and staff, with various agreements and knowledge transfer across teams.

Registration Steps

Step 1: Access the contest portal from the iGA site and create or update your participant profile.

Step 2: Enter participant data, including contact details and role (participant or guardian for minors).

Step 3: Upload a short sign-language demonstration video or provide a link to your sample.

Step 4: Attach required documents: proof of age, consent forms for data handling, and any accessibility requests.

Step 5: Review the information, confirm terms, and submit. Note your registration reference number for status checks.

Step 6: Receive confirmation by email or SMS and save it for the day of verification at the venue. If you need support, reach out to the initiatives team–part of broader planning and coordination across aviation events.

Eligibility and Schedule

Visual Wayfinding for Deaf Travelers: Signage, Maps, and Digital Displays at the Airport

Install a unified visual wayfinding system across the airport: high-contrast signage with universal pictograms, Braille labels, and videh video panels that present sign-language explanations for directions. Place these at arrivals, transfer points, security corridors, and gates so a person travelling alone can move from curb to board without relying on audio cues. The approach should be included in the project scope, with clear ownership by management and agencies to ensure consistency and accountability, and it should help reduce difficult detours and friction on the path to boarding.

Signage and Symbols

Use standardized pictograms aligned with international norms, supplemented by short captions in multiple languages where needed. Keep glyphs large, arrows clear, and ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. Position signs at eye level along primary sightlines, and add Braille on key information panels for accessibility that can benefit various users, including travellers with autism. Provide a concise guide to the airport layout that staff can share with travellers and their companions, and verify each panel during a quarterly examination as part of a ongoing project. Ensure staff members are able to explain directions if needed and can adjust signs after feedback from travellers and agencies.

Maps, Kiosks, and Digital Displays

Deploy interactive maps at arrivals, transfer zones, and information desks, with pictures illustrating routes into each terminal branch. Digital displays should offer real-time directions, sign-language videh content, and subtitles; include filters by language and accessibility needs, plus offline map downloads for remote areas. QR codes can share routes with a guide or caregiver, and travellers can claim assistance via a simple interface. The approach has been examined in multiple cities, including delhi and cairns, and can be adapted to Istanbul’s layout. The project aims at attracting more travellers by offering transparent information and sustainable solutions that are easy to operate for staff and travellers alike. By sharing data with agencies and management, the airport can continuously improve the information and keep solutions up to date, supporting economic benefits and a smoother transfer process for umrah pilgrims and other travellers.

Booking Interpreters: How to Request Sign Language Support at iGA

Submit your interpreter booking at least 48 hours before your flight through the iGA Accessibility Desk online form. The form collects your name, flight number, date, terminal, language (sign language), and a brief note about your hearing disability to ensure the correct skills are matched and the scheduling is precise for every step–check-in, security, and boarding.

How to request a sign language interpreter

Access the online form, fill the required fields, and attach any relevant documentation if needed. Specify where you want the service: at check-in, at the security point, or at the gate, and include your preferred meeting point so the interpreter can bridge between you and iGA staff efficiently.

Lead times vary: 2-3 working days for standard bookings; urgent requests within 24 hours can be honored if an interpreter is available, with a possible priority arrangement. After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation with the interpreter’s language pair and contact details, enabling direct coordination for your arrival and departure windows.

In practice, this approach strengthens communication between you and airline or airport staff, and it keeps the process independent and streamlined, with the interpreter focusing on your needs rather than handling unrelated tasks.

On-site coordination and what to expect

The iGA team coordinates between you, the interpreter, and security to ensure smooth access to your designated service points. Information panels near the main entrances and the videh exhibition area guide you to the right contact points, helping you navigate transitions without delays.

Examples from abrahamsson’s case studies show that advanced planning shortens wait times, while a Prince-led pilot program demonstrated effective collaboration with civil infrastructure teams to support accessible travel. These efforts, along with elevated coordination across security and operations, help ensure you have dedicated support throughout your journey.

In all steps, the service supports economic participation for travelers with hearing disability, integrates with physical and civil infrastructure planning, and keeps your communication clear and consistent from arrival to boarding. If you have additional needs, mark them in the form for a tailored arrangement, and the team will review and respond promptly.

Flight Information Accessibility: Visual Alerts, Text Notifications, and Updates for Deaf Passengers

Recommendation: Implement synchronized, multimodal flight information alerts that combine visual cues and text updates to support Deaf passengers. Starting with high-contrast gate displays and timers, extend to mobile app push notifications and kiosk banners so information is accessible at every touchpoint. This approach is recognized by bheodari and aligns with best practices for inclusive travel.

• Visual alerts and signage
  • Display at gate areas, security checkpoints, and concourses with large, high-contrast text and clear icons for destinations, statuses, and times.
  • Use color codes (green on-time, amber delay, red gate change) and flashing banners for critical advisory notices that require immediate attention.
  • Place consistent position indicators near restrooms, service counters, and baggage claim to aid navigation.
  • Show flight numbers, origin, destination, scheduled times, updated times, and any gate or terminal changes in a recognizable form, available to all passengers, with only essential details shown.
• Text notifications
  • Provide real-time updates via SMS and a dedicated app section, including flight number, status, new gate, and updated times for each affected destination.
  • Offer translations and accessible formatting; allow users to customize alerts by country or travel plan and include an advisory banner when changes occur.
  • Include a concise, secure text stream that can be read in noisy environments; offer a voice option in the app for companions while keeping primary delivery visual/text, especially for hearing and deaf travelers.
  • Ensure awareness among travelers with hearing loss by explicitly stating updates and steps to take next.
• Updates and channels
  • Synchronize screens, kiosks, app, email, and on-site advisories so information is consistent across times and locations.
  • Provide starting estimates and countdowns for departures and arrivals; ensure updates reflect the latest position of flights and transportation connections.
  • Use analytics to measure how well each channel raises awareness and how quickly travelers respond, and adjust the mix accordingly, considering various destinations and times.
• Accessibility, awareness, and staff
  • Train frontline teams in a workplace-friendly program that emphasizes clear, visual communication and response protocols for deaf passengers.
  • Keep signage updated with health and security advisories and ensure staff can guide travelers with hearing impairment to the correct destinations.
  • Make information available in multiple languages and ensure each update is easy to interpret without sound, so such content is accessible to all travelers.
• Security, health, and privacy
  • Secure data handling for notification systems and consent for receiving updates; redact sensitive details in public screens.
  • Publish health-related alerts in a clear visual/text format and update as guidelines change.
• Continuous improvement and impact
  • Analyze usage data and times-to-read to refine formats and push strategies; track which destinations and flights generate the most alerts.
  • Share learnings across countries and destinations to standardize the experience, ensuring such practices were kept consistent for years of operation and were aligned with overall traveler awareness.

Boarding and Security: Clear Communication Protocols and Assistance at Checkpoints

Implement a universal, multilingual briefing system at every boarding and security checkpoint, relying on concise spoken prompts, captioned video, and touch-friendly panels to guide passengers in under 60 seconds.

Within civil areas, signage and agent scripts should be accessible for the hearing-impaired with captioned announcements, large-print cards, and tactile floor navigation cues. Balram coordinates a dedicated assistance desk that can deploy a one-on-one helper within 2 minutes of request, ensuring families, elderly travelers, and wheelchair users receive individualized support.

Scripts are introduced by a cross-functional council and are designed to be used by all frontline staff. The program was developed with insights from korea and china practices, whilst condé-style visual guidelines ensure consistency across all signage. Russell leads weekly rehearsals to keep language simple, friendly, and respectful, and to enable sign language or written notes when needed.

During the initial phase, passenger feedback was collected continuously via surveys and staff observations. The result is a highly improved user experience: todays travellers report an inspiring, more social and inclusive process. The approach reduces checkpoint delays, generating an economic benefit for the airport and its partners and creating an opportunity for attracting events and partnerships with local businesses. Passengers were pleased with the clearer instructions and smoother flow.

Implementation steps

Step 1: Install six-language signage (Turkish, English, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Arabic) at all entry points and in gate corridors, augmented by captioned video prompts and touch panels that respond within 3 seconds of user input.

Step 2: Train a dedicated accessibility team led by Balram to assist at checkpoints, assign one-on-one helpers as needed, and track response times to ensure a helper arrives within 2 minutes of a request. Collect data weekly and adjust scripts to maintain high clarity and consistency.

Onsite Resources: Accessible Lounges, Restrooms, and Quiet Areas for Contest Visitors

Reserve executive lounge access with barrier-free arrangements for the contest traveler. This choice prioritizes mobility impairments and ensures convenient arrival-to-lounge navigation, supporting comfort throughout the day.

Within lounges, automatic doors, wide aisles, and seating at multiple heights enable physical access. Signage uses high-contrast visuals and tactile cues; staff specially trained to assist travelers with mobility impairments are on hand to adjust seating, answer questions, and guide you to restrooms and quiet areas. Feedback received from prior contests helped shape seating arrangements and service approaches.

Restrooms near lounge clusters include accessible stalls, grab bars, and emergency call buttons; mirrors and sinks are placed at accessible heights, and maintenance teams emphasize clean, touch-free fixtures where possible.

Quiet areas provide sound-attenuating walls, comfortable seating, and controlled lighting; they are located to minimize travel time between lounges, restrooms, and contest refreshment points for a smoother cadence of activities.

To optimize your visit, consult the advisory desk for personalized routes and health information. Ideas from Xuan and videh inform improvements regarding relationships with civil authorities and Singapore partners, with the chief accessibility officer overseeing updates and ongoing enhancements to maintain convenient, welcoming experiences for all travelers.