On May 12, a solemn ceremony took place at Vnukovo Airport to mark the signing of an agreement between the and Vnukovo International Airport JSC. The document was signed by Mikhail Terentyev, Chairman of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People and Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Saprykin, General Director of Vnukovo International Airport JSC.
The agreement runs for five years, and provides for bilateral actions on the part of both organizations in the following areas: improving the level of safety and the quality of air transportation for passengers with disabilities, exchanging domestic and international best pratice in the organization of transportation of passengers with limited mobility, and conducting educational events on general issues.
Mikhail Terentyev, chairman of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, observed: «It is very important that Moscow’s oldest operating airport, Vnukovo International Airport, which has taken its rightful place as a port of call both for tourists from abroad and citizens from all over Russia, pays close attention to accessibility issues for people with limited mobility, and continues to improve the comprehensive services for visitors with disabilities which take their needs into account. For its part, the All-Russian Society of Disabled People stands ready to carry out professional consultations, exchange information, coordinate policy and develop general technologies for passenger service. We have worked with Vnukovo Airport for many years, and today’s agreement is a continuation of our work to combine our efforts to ensure the accessibility of this important infrastructure facility.»
Dmitry Saprykin, General Director of Vnukovo International Airport JSC, stressed that «One of the key goals of our airline’s social responsibility is to create a barrier-free environment for passengers with limited mobility, which takes into account the characteristics of each individual. It is extremely important for the management of Vnukovo International Airport to provide high-quality and affordable service to all categories of air passengers, and of course, this cannot be done without consulting specialists: the representatives of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People. We have enjoyed many years of cooperation with this organization, and over the years of this joint work we have implemented many projects, including the introduction of technologies and equipment, and the training of personnel to provide assistance and escort passengers with disabilities at Vnukovo Airport. I am sure that today will give new impetus to our cooperation in organizing and improving the barrier-free environment at Vnukovo.»
It should be noted that the agreement between Vnukovo International Airport and the All-Russian Society of Disabled People was first signed in 2012.
Vnukovo International Airport is one of Russia’s largest air transport hubs. Each year the airport handles approximately 200,000 flights by Russian and international airlines. Its network covers the whole territory of Russia as well as short- and long-haul destinations, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. In 2019, Vnukovo International Airport served over 24 million passengers, breaking its own record. Vnukovo airport terminal, with a total area of about 300,000 square meters, can handle up to 35 million passengers annually. Vnukovo International Airport is the only airport in Russia to have received a Letter of Commendation from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for its professional achievements and high performance. Moreover, Vnukovo Airport was recognized as the Best International Airport by Air Gateway of Russia award and Best Airport: overcoming challenges 2020 at National Aviation Infrastructure Show (NAIS) for three years running.
The All-Russian Society of Disabled People (VOI) was established on August 17, 1988. Today, the organization consists of 1.5 million people, 24,300 primary organizations, 2,100 local and 83 regional organizations. In 1998, the organization was granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. The society’s objectives are as follows: provision of assistance to persons with disabilities in exercising their rights and opportunities which are equal to those of other citizens of the Russian Federation; protection of the common rights and interests of people with disabilities; assistance in the integration of people with disabilities into modern society. Our mission is to unite the efforts of stakeholders in order to create a fully fledged life for the disabled. Our motto is: Together we can do more!
