Speaking following the meeting, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Over recent weeks I have been contacted by a number of constituents who have endured deeply upsetting experiences, while travelling through Belfast International Airport due to the way they were treated when wearing a stoma bag. The words they used were ‘embarrassed’ and ‘humiliated.’ No passenger should ever be made to feel this way.

I want to thank the Chief Executive of the airport, the Head of PR, and the senior representative from Wilson James who travelled from London, for the time and effort they gave to this important discussion. I was joined by Mrs. Claire McCorry, a constituent who has experienced two very difficult incidents at the airport, and who spoke powerfully about the lasting impact of this. 

This is not a criticism of front-line staff at the airport, who on a daily basis do their job with professionalism and courtesy. Rather, it is about recognising that they have not been given the specialist training needed to deal with certain medical situations, and that responsibility sits squarely with their employer, Wilson James.

The meeting was robust, informative, and productive, and resulted in a number of clear commitments. The airport will make improvements to its intimate and medical search facilities, and all accessible toilets will be upgraded with shelving to make them more suitable for passengers with stomas. The Chief Executive has also raised this matter with Airports UK, the national trade body, with a view to developing a consistent approach across all UK airports.

The airport will update its website to provide clearer guidance for passengers with stomas. Engagement will take place with the Civil Aviation Authority and the relevant regulator to determine whether passengers are required to show or have their stoma bags swabbed – an issue which causes significant anxiety for many.

My key asks is to ensure the staff are made aware of situations like this, and that messaging on disabilities – particularly hidden disabilities – is kept to the fore. The Civil Aviation Authority, working alongside airports, needs to clearly identifies what is required for stoma users. This must then be communicated and applied consistently across all UK airports. It is unfair for one section of our community to be treated differently to others, and we must ensure that no passenger is singled out or made to feel less than anyone else.

Training for staff is a central priority. Wilson James is developing a dedicated module on disabilities, with a particular focus on hidden disabilities, which will be rolled out to all staff in October. In the meantime, they will reinforce correct processes and procedures with existing staff to ensure passengers are treated with care and dignity.

I welcome the constructive engagement we have had so far and the willingness shown by both the airport and Wilson James to address these concerns. While there is still work to do, these commitments mark an important step towards ensuring that every passenger, including those with stomas, can travel with confidence and dignity.”