Tourexpi
The committee brings together travelers with limited
mobility, visual, hearing or cognitive impairments to help improve products and
services for passengers with both visible and invisible disabilities. Members
will share experiences and recommendations to support ongoing development
across the entire travel chain.
Broad representation and expert support
The initiative is supported by the North
Rhine-Westphalia State Disability Council (LBR), whose 20 representatives cover
a wide range of disabilities. Paralympic athletes Johanna Recktenwald and Nico
Dreimüller are also contributing their experience and expertise.
Focus on inclusion, awareness and practical
improvements
Lufthansa Group CCO Dieter Vranckx emphasized the aim
of creating a more independent and accessible travel experience: the advisory
group will play a key role in identifying needs and shaping solutions. LBR
Managing Director Ann-Christin Rauch called the cooperation a milestone, noting
its potential to raise wider awareness for inclusion and participation.
Lufthansa will meet regularly with committee members
to gather feedback and refine its accessibility strategy. Recent website
updates already offer clearer information, simplified navigation and improved
guidance for travelers with disabilities.
Making invisible disabilities visible
With most disabilities worldwide being non-visible,
the Lufthansa Group is rolling out the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
initiative across all its airlines. The program enables passengers with
invisible impairments to discreetly signal their needs using a sunflower
symbol. Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS are already participating;
Lufthansa will follow later this year, with full Group-wide implementation
expected by the end of 2026.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
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