The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Ports and Airports, launched today the Program to Welcome Passengers with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), which provides, among other actions, the opening of multisensory rooms - intended for neurodivergent people - in all airports in Brazil. The launch took place during the 4th Airport National Meeting, the largest airport event in Brazil, promoted by ABR - Aeroportos do Brasil.

Pioneers in the implementation of multisensory rooms, Florianópolis International Airport and Vitória Airport, managed by Zurich Airport Brasil, have had the space since February 2023. The rooms are part of Aeroporto para Todos, an inclusion program that consists of a set of actions that combine practices, technology, team training, in addition to the construction of new spaces.

The multisensory rooms have soft lighting and varied stimuli in a quiet environment that provides comfort to autistic people and people who are sensitive to the busier flow of departure lounges. In addition, a bathroom for pets was created, thinking about those traveling with their emotional support animals.

The relevance of the initiative has already been recognized with the winning of the ANAC SAC Accessibility Award 2023. The airports of Florianópolis and Vitória obtained the same score and were tied for first place in the unprecedented award. The terminals were the only ones to reach the highest level on the scale that indicates the level of accessibility.

The Airport for All initiative also gained international recognition and placed Zurich Airport Brazil among the finalists for the Airport Honour Awards at International Airport Summit 2023. The global award recognizes airports that offer high-level experiences in several aspects, including creating an inclusive environment for all passengers.

            During the launch of the Passenger Welcoming Program for ASD Passengers, the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, spoke about the importance of pioneering inclusion initiatives and, together with representatives of entities in the aviation sector, signed a letter of commitment so that by 2026, twenty airports in Brazil will have multisensory rooms. 

“We are genuinely committed to inclusion, which is why we dedicate ourselves to developing projects that become practical actions. It is a great source of pride to know that our initiatives are inspiring national policy and serving as a stimulus for building a more accessible industry. This shows us that we are on the right track and encourages us to move forward even further,” says Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil, who participated in the event in Brasília.

By the end of this year, Natal International Airport, managed since February this year by Zurich Airport Brasil, will also gain a multisensory room and a bathroom for pets.