Domestic airports provide motorization kit for wheelchairs

The Korea Airport Corporation (KAC) said Wednesday that it started a sharing system for motorized wheelchairs for disabled people departing from Gimpo International Airport in Seoul on Monday.

The airport offers manually operated wheelchairs equipped with a simple device that helps passengers with disabilities use them as if motorized wheelchairs. The service is a way to address the issue of motorized wheelchairs’ batteries being banned in airports under international aviation. In addition, motorized wheelchairs cannot be allowed on board because they take up too much space as they cannot be folded. Passengers who wish to use the service can make a reservation on a dedicated website (www.wheelshare.kr) and received a kit from an airport official three hours before departure. The service is available for free.

The KAC is also offering easy mobility service for disabled, elderly or pregnant people from last year. Eligible passengers can dial 1661-2626 at 14 local airports across the nation to make a reservation or request the service at the airport. Dedicated airport workers take the customers to check-in counters on a motorized cart. A monthly average of 64,000 people are already using the service.

The KAC also helps eligible passengers complete the identification, security check and immigration process quickly through dedicated windows. The company also provides lifts and level bridges for passengers with disabilities to help them get on board their plane on wheelchairs.


Kum-Chun Hwang kchwang@donga.com