SWISS is to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program on 1 November. The worldwide program uses lanyards, illustrated with sunflowers on a green background, to discreetly communicate that the wearer has a non-visible disability and may thus have particular needs in certain situations.

Zurich Airport will be adopting the Sunflower lanyards from 1 November; and the lanyards will be available at Geneva Airport, too. The Sunflower lanyard will enable SWISS personnel and other airport staff to discreetly identify the wearer as having a hidden disability and give them the appropriate understanding and any additional support they may need.

Over a billion people around the world live with a non-visible disability such as autism, ADHD, epilepsy or dementia. These people may find air travel a particular challenge. To support them here as effectively as possible, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program on 1 November.

This global undertaking is already active in various countries and continues to gain in importance worldwide. Zurich Airport will join the program on 1 November, and will offer Sunflower lanyards to travelers wishing to use them at numerous airport locations. The lanyards will be available at Geneva Airport, too.

A symbol of an understanding world

By wearing the green lanyard with its sunflower images, individuals with hidden disabilities can discreetly convey to others that they may need more time, patience, help or understanding in certain situations. Needless to say, wearing the Sunflower lanyard is entirely voluntary.

“Travel should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, regardless of any visible or hidden disability,” said SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach.

“In joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, we want to play our full part in removing obstacles, alleviating uncertainties and providing an environment in which all our guests feel recognized and understood. For us, this is a further key step in creating and maintaining an even more inclusive and respectful travel culture.”

Lanyards easy to obtain

Sunflower lanyards will be available at Zurich Airport from the PRM (passengers with reduced mobility) pick-up points, from the Arrival 2 information desk or from the supervisors’ desks in the transit zone and Check-in 1. At Geneva Airport they will be available at the GVassistance Lounge in Terminal 1.

The Sunflower lanyards are not intended to replace the airport’s passenger assistance and wheelchair services. They also do not entitle the wearer to any priority or preferential treatment at check-in, security or boarding. They should, however, ensure that their wearers enjoy the awareness, respect and empathy of staff and others throughout the airport process.

About Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s leading air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. SWISS embodies Switzerland’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also set itself ambitious CO₂ goals, and plans to halve its 2019 net CO₂ emissions by 2030 and make its business and operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

All images credited to SWISS