Airport experience for autistic children: 7th successful edition of Premium Kids at YUL

Tuesday, 16 April 2019 05:51.PM

There were smiles all around during the 7th edition of the Premium Kids event held at Montréal-Trudeau airport. This unique day enables children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or functional limitations to familiarize themselves with the airport process and reduce their anxiety about flying.

This year, nearly 300 participants were able to experience the airport journey, from arriving at the parking lot to boarding a plane and listening to in-flight security instructions.

The event is organized by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) jointly with the following partners: Air Transat, Autisme Montréal, the Giant Steps, Special Olympics, Transport Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), Securitas, HMSHost, and Montréal Airport Marriott Hotel.

This initiative is inspired by a similar initiative, "Wings for Autism," created in 2011 by the Charles River Center in collaboration with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Logan International Airport, Boston).