Supporting Neurodivergent Travellers: Isle of Man Airport’s “Getting Flight Ready” Open Day
Published: 30 March 2026
The event offered neurodivergent travellers and their families the chance to explore the airport at a calm pace, with guidance from trained staff.
Flying is an exciting experience, yet it can feel overwhelming at times, especially for people with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.
Isle of Man Airport was pleased to welcome visitors to a dedicated Neurodiverse Open Day, designed to help travellers and their families build confidence when moving through the airport.
The event followed a simple principle: air travel should feel accessible, calm, and predictable for everyone. Many passengers with non‑visible disabilities or neurodivergent conditions can find busy terminals and unfamiliar processes overwhelming. Our aim was to offer time, space, and support to practise each stage of the journey in a relaxed setting.
Exploring the Airport Step by Step
Visitors had the chance to move through key steps of the airport journey, including:
- Check‑in
- Security
- Boarding
· 
A special visit to the flight deck, guided by airline crew. At each point, our team explained what to expect, answered questions, and demonstrated the support available. Which helps travellers build confidence by walking through the full process before any real trip.
A warm and positive event
The calm, friendly atmosphere allowed families to take their time, ask questions, and grow more familiar with each stage of travel.
What the families told us:
“Security is the part that is most daunting for us… The fact that Islay felt confident enough to speak a bit shows how successful the visit was.”
“Matthew really enjoyed himself and is now looking forward to travelling.”
For some, the excitement continued long after they left the terminal:
“Mack loved the tour and the gift bag. He has not stopped talking about the trip yet.”
A special mention goes to Mack and Matthew, who embraced every moment of their visit and left with bright smiles. Moments like these remind us why events like this matter.
Our thanks
Events of this kind rely on teamwork, kindness, and patience. We extend our sincere thanks to:
Carole, who generously volunteered her time and helped keep everything running smoothly.
Maddie and Eric, whose professionalism supported visitors through check‑in and security with reassurance and care.
Loganair crew members Sam and Ian, who played an important role in helping families understand what happens once passengers are on board.
We are grateful to every member of staff who contributed to making the evening meaningful, calm, and enjoyable.
Join us next time
We will host our next Neurodiverse Open Day in July, and we would be pleased to welcome more families and individuals who would benefit from practising the airport journey in a supportive environment.
If you would like to join the list for the next event, we would love to hear from you. contact https://airport.im/contact-us/feedback/
We remain committed to making air travel accessible, calm, and welcoming for everyone in our community.