Here’s Why Navigating Pearson Airport Just Got Easier For Some People

Travelling by air can be a confusing ordeal. Nativaging the airport alone is a headache, even more so if you are visually impaired.

Travelling by air can be a confusing ordeal. Nativaging the airport alone is a headache, even more so if you are visually impaired. Now Toronto Pearson Airport has taken new steps to make travel easier for passengers who have impaired vision.

On Tuesday (July 16) Pearson Airport announced that it will now offer Aira service.

Aira is an assistive technology that helps travellers with impaired vision find their way around the airport by themselves.

“At Toronto Pearson, we have the vision to be the best airport in the world, and this starts with ensuring that our passengers, all of our passengers, are able to navigate the airport independently,” says Kurush Minocher, the Associate Director of Passenger Development, at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). “We are proud to bring Aira’s easy-to-use service to Toronto Pearson. Passengers with sight loss now have more choice in how they travel through the airport, from the curb to the gate.”

Using an APP, passengers can connect to a live agent for help navigating through the airport. Through the phone’s camera, Aira’s agent can use visual information to help passengers travel through the terminals.

We’re committed to providing a smooth and enjoyable airport experience for all, including travellers with sight loss. Learn more about how our first-in-Canada implementation of @airaio technology is helping @MASTERCHEFonFOX winner @theblindcook https://t.co/AhU7MwYTxD

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) July 16, 2019

While Aira is usually a subscription service, passengers with impaired vision will be able to use the app for free at Pearson.

“Aira’s mission is to make information instantly accessible, anytime, anywhere,” says Suman Kanuganti, the President and Founder of Aira. “We’re excited to welcome Toronto Pearson as our first Aira Airport Access Partner in Canada.”

Toronto Pearson is the first airport in Canada to offer Aira to travellers. It will be available in both Terminals 1 and 3 and the area of the airport’s parking facilities.

You can find out more about how Aira works in Pearson Airport here.

What do you think about Aira being available to visually impaired travellers?