On Thursday 28 February Avalon Airport launched its newest addition to the international terminal – the Aviramp International. The first of its kind in Australia, the new jet bridge is a mobile ramp that creates easy access to the plane for all passengers.
The Aviramp is also undercover and has lighting, and increases the flow rate of disembarkation by almost 30% compared to stairs.
Not only does low gradient ramp provide an improved boarding experience for customers with limited ability or those who require assistance, it makes boarding safer for every passenger, as it removes the risk of tripping or bottlenecks on stairs.
For larger planes such as the AirAsia A330s that fly twice-daily between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur, this is a significant safety feature, and one Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings has been looking forward to having at the airport, as part of the new international terminal experience.
“It has been an objective of ours to improve aircraft accessibility for a long time,” he said, “and we’re thrilled that the Aviramp has arrived and is now in use by AirAsia.
“Avalon Airport is one of the most accessible airports in the country. The terminal doesn’t have any stairs to navigate, no long walks and our car parking is right out the front of the terminal. We have dedicated disability parking, we have assistance dog relief areas, and ambulant bathrooms. The introduction of the Aviramp is a natural progression of this; the unit provides a dignified boarding method for passengers with reduced mobility. We’re really trying to be as accessible as possible to as broad a range of passengers as possible.”
The Aviramp International was purchased through distributor Adapt A Lift GSE.
The Aviramp International Features:
- Portable pre-boarding facility, with the infrastructure of static bridges
- Controlled remotely
- Patented 360° design, with 7.5 to 8 degree gradient slopes
- Operational height 3.4metres (11’2”) to 5.2 metres (17’)
- International footprint, just 90cm (35cm) longer than the Aviramp Continental
- Renders other GSE redundant, and provides an easy step-free access for everyone, particularly PRMs
- Unique anti-slip flooring; even in wet and icy conditions