The airpawt for everyone: London Gatwick welcomes Guide Dogs UK visit
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Guide Dogs UK puppies visited London Gatwick to become more familiar with the busy airport environment
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The dogs were taken around areas including security, baggage reclaim and on board an easyJet aircraft
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London Gatwick has shared top tips for travelling with an assistance dog
London Gatwick welcomed some special visitors last week, as four puppies from Guide Dogs UK arrived at the airport for a training experience.
London Gatwick and Guide Dogs UK teamed up for the second time this year to provide trainee puppies – Louise, Lilly, Chip and Panache - with insight into the airport environment – a vital part of their preparations to become fully-fledged guide dogs.
The dogs and their handlers were taken around the special assistance lounge, security and baggage reclaim areas, and on board an easyJet aircraft.
The visit enabled the dogs to become more familiar with the busy airport environment and airport infrastructure, and provided important learning for airport staff in how they can better support guide dogs and passengers with sight loss.
Anna-Ruth Cockerham, Accessibility Manager, London Gatwick said: “Since 2017, we have been hosting visits for Guide Dogs UK, which allow the puppies to get a head start on handling what might otherwise be an overwhelming experience.
“These visits not only provide the dogs with experience of an airport environment, but also importantly allow our colleagues to learn how we can better support them and their owners.
“Going forward, London Gatwick and our partners are committed to continuing to improve the experiences of assistance dogs and the passengers they support, through airport-wide training and improved facilities.”
Elli Cavazza, Puppy Development Advisor, Guide Dogs UK said: “The team at London Gatwick has been wonderfully welcoming to our puppies and puppy raisers, providing a great way to introduce them to a different environment at a young age. This allows them to have the experience of a busy airport while they’re still in their early learning stages, meaning that the busy surroundings and unusual noises won’t be a surprise once they go on to become a working dog.”
Tips for travelling through London Gatwick with an assistance dog:
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When booking your flight, notify your airline of your requirements for travelling through the airport and on-board the aircraft, and so you can get the customs approval needed for your destination/return to the UK
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If booking through a third party (e.g. travel agent), contact your airline directly to check they have accurately received your requirements
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At the airport, let Special Assistance know about your arrival as soon as possible, and any needs you or your dog may have (e.g. spending airside before boarding, a place to sit, water, etc.)
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Don’t forget to pack the appropriate dog restraining harness for take-off and landing in your hand luggage
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Guide Dogs has details on welfare considerations when travelling with assistance dogs
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For information on boarding an aircraft with your service animal, the CAA website also has some great information
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There is a limited set of authorised routes for non-ADI/IGDF trained dogs to travel into the UK, and they must be accepted as pet dogs under the Pet Travel Scheme
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There is government guidance on travelling with assistance dogs and what can be accepted into the UK
London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and is a vital piece of national infrastructure that helps drive both the regional and national economy. More than 40 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations. The airport is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably in the long term. It has ambitious plans to be a net zero airport by 2030 and increase capacity by bringing its Northern runway into routine use. Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99% interest.
The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
For more information:
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With decarbonization central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. Headquartered in New York, GIP has offices in Brisbane, Dallas, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, Singapore, Stamford and Sydney.
GIP has approximately $100 billion in assets under management. Our portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $80 billion and employ over 100,000 people. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our investors' capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.
Guide Dogs is a UK-based charity dedicated to providing life-changing services for people with sight loss. Their mission is to enhance the mobility and independence of individuals with visual impairments, and they offer a range of support services and resources to achieve this goal.
