Quiet room and sensory pod open at airport
BBCEast Midlands Airport has opened a new quiet room and sensory pod to support neurodivergent travellers and people with anxiety.
Airport bosses said the new departure lounge facilities were aimed at passengers who needed to step away from noise and sensory overload while preparing to fly.
The quiet room features a variety of seating near the boarding gates, while the pod has acoustic insulation, adjustable lighting, user-controlled ventilation and sensory equipment.
The newly opened facilities replace the previous departure lounge quiet room, which is being redeveloped as a children's activity space.
Customer services manager Chris Drury said: "We want to make our airport as inclusive to everybody as possible and that includes disabled individuals.
"This is going to help our neurodivergent customers.
"We know the terminal can be an overwhelming experience for everybody at times, so we do our best to make that as effortless as possible."
Describing the quiet room at the airport in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, he said: "We have a beautiful room with lots of natural light and soundproofing so it feels more detached from the rest of the airport.
"The sensory pod encapsulates you away from the main part of the terminal, so we have interactive lights and games and gadgets that help a portion of our customer base.
"We don't need any proof to see to use the facilities, they're for anyone who feels they would benefit from them. They're slightly away from the main area and our team can point you towards them if you'd like to use them."
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