Safe, dignified boarding for passengers with reduced mobility.
Have you ever made it to the aircraft door to be faced with a high step you need to safely step up or be pushed/tipped over in an aisle chair? For most passengers, boarding is simple—but for passengers with reduced mobility, this moment can be stressful, uncomfortable, and even risky. Airport staff work hard to help, but even a small step can make boarding challenging.
Portaramp’s Aircraft Ramp changes this. Once deployed, it allows passengers to walk up safely or be pushed in an aisle chair without tipping. This eliminates hazards for both passengers and staff, making boarding much safer, smoother, and more dignified.
Why This Ramp Matters
The portable ramp directly addresses the physical challenges of boarding for PRM and the staff who assist them. It:
- Eliminates the high step for passengers who can walk.
- Allows aisle chairs to be pushed straight into the aircraft instead of being tipped.
- Reduces physical strain and risk of injury for staff.
- Makes boarding predictable, controlled, and dignified.
By solving these challenges at the door, the ramp not only improves safety but also makes the boarding process smoother and more efficient for airlines, airports, and ground-handling teams.
Our Aircraft Ramps are already in use at Manchester, Stansted, Bristol, Aberdeen, Liverpool!
Designed for Real Aircraft Doors
Aircraft doors are narrow, elevated, and surrounded by sensitive surfaces. The ramp has been engineered specifically for these conditions:
- Narrow width for alignment — guides the aisle chair straight into the doorway.
- Soft rubber protection — protects the aircraft while keeping the ramp stable.
- Stable, non-slip surface — ensures passengers feel secure and staff maintain control.
- Lightweight, portable design — allows staff to place the ramp quickly and safely.
These features are the result of joint development and live trials between Portaramp and ABM, adapting proven ramp technology to meet the specific demands of aviation.
Every design choice focuses on human needs, prioritising passenger comfort, safety, and dignity while supporting safe, efficient work for frontline teams.
A Better Boarding Process
The Aircraft Ramp allows passengers to board upright and supported, whether walking or using an aisle chair. It eliminates tipping and the high step, creating a controlled, predictable, and safer boarding process for both passengers and staff.
Before: Staff often needed to lift or tip aisle chairs over a step at the aircraft door, increasing physical strain and the risk of slips, trips, or sudden loss of balance.
After: With the Aircraft Ramp deployed, passengers move smoothly into the aircraft, and staff can focus on guidance rather than compensating for a difficult threshold.
Supporting Staff: Safer, Easier, and More Confident Work
Frontline airport staff perform physically demanding tasks, often under tight time pressure. Without the Aircraft Ramp, tipping or lifting aisle chairs over a high step can contribute to fatigue, strain, or injury.
The ramp helps staff by:
- Allowing natural, ergonomic pushing movements.
- Eliminating tipping and heavy lifting.
- Providing a stable, predictable surface for safe passenger movement.
- Allowing staff to focus on care and attention rather than compensating for a difficult step.
By reducing manual handling risk and simplifying the job at the door, the Aircraft Ramp supports safer working conditions and more confident service for PRM passengers.
A Universal Solution
The Aircraft Ramp is a universal, portable solution that can be used across multiple aircraft types and airport environments. Adapted from Portaramp’s long-established rail ramp technology, it has been redesigned through close collaboration with ABM to meet the unique operational and spatial constraints of aviation.
Key advantages include:
- A universal fit across a wide range of commercial aircraft types.
- Lightweight, portable construction for quick, safe deployment by airport and ground-handling teams.
- Enhanced protection for aircraft surfaces through reinforced rubber contact points.
- A durable, all-weather surface that supports reliable performance in busy operations.
Earlier this year, we delivered 50 Aircraft Ramps and storage units across UK airports. In December and January, we are set to deliver:
- 16 units at Heathrow
- 10 units at Edinburgh
- 12 units at Newcastle
We also currently have trials underway in Germany, New York, and Jersey, with initial feedback being very positive. These developments support our ongoing commitment to enhancing global accessibility in travel.
Transforming Boarding for PRM Passengers
Safe, dignified boarding does not have to be complicated. The Aircraft Ramp shows how thoughtful, human-centred design can solve a real, global problem at the aircraft door.
Passengers with reduced mobility move safely and comfortably, maintaining dignity and independence. Staff work more confidently and efficiently, with less physical strain and a lower risk of accidents. Airports and airlines, in turn, benefit from smoother turnarounds, fewer delays linked to boarding challenges, and a visibly improved PRM experience.
The Aircraft Ramp is already making a measurable difference across UK airports, supporting thousands of PRM journeys and simplifying day-to-day operations for the teams who deliver assisted travel.
To explore how this universal solution could support PRM boarding at your airport, contact Portaramp.
✉️ [email protected]
📞 01953 681 799
This article was originally written by Portaramp.
