Airline wheelchairs are a vital piece of onboard equipment. They are used regularly to provide an essential service for customers with reduced mobility, and airline staff must ensure they are always ready for use and fit for purpose. The regular maintenance of onboard wheelchairs can prolong the life of the chair and improve the long-term value of the equipment. For the airline staff carrying out the maintenance, it should be intuitive, easy and quick. So why is maintenance essential, and how can wheelchair design and materials support airlines and their staff in extending the lifespan of their onboard wheelchairs?
The Importance of Maintenance
It is important to ensure that onboard wheelchairs are well maintained, but there is also an important safety element to maintenance—by ensuring that all parts, such as brakes, wheels, and frames, are in good working condition, you reduce the risk of accidents or malfunctions that could lead to injury. A well-maintained wheelchair operates more smoothly and efficiently and is more comfortable for the user and the staff aiding them.
Maintenance includes regular cleaning and sanitising of the wheelchair to prevent the build-up of dirt, bacteria and allergens, along with more structural elements, such as ensuring the wheel movements are smooth and the hinges move freely.
What can make maintenance easier?
There are intrinsic design elements that can make maintenance of onboard wheelchairs easier for airline staff. The wheelchair must be thoroughly cleaned after every use and disinfected frequently, so the materials used should be robust, durable, easy to clean and, if possible, enhance the sanitisation process.
Antimicrobial properties, like that found in leather products or a specific layer of antimicrobial powder on the frame or joints, a feature of the Airchair, can go a long way to ensuring the wheelchair is well maintained between uses. Airchair’s frame is finished with Sterilcoat-AM®, an anti-microbial powder coating that prevents the spread of dangerous micro-organisms by significantly reducing microbial activity and suppressing mould and bacteria growth. It retains its antimicrobial properties even after repeated cleaning.
The Airchair has also recently switched to recycled GenPhoenix leather in its seat and back to provide the same ease of maintenance but with an even better environmental footprint. It is robust and can withstand frequent cleaning.
Cost benefits of regular maintenance
For a purchasing officer or material controller, the cost-effectiveness of all airline equipment is paramount. Maintaining onboard wheelchairs means they will last longer and cost less over their lifetime. Preventative maintenance can help avoid expensive repairs or the early replacement of parts.
Choosing the right onboard wheelchair
There are many factors to consider when choosing the most suitable onboard wheelchair for your airline, from weight and carrying capacity to regulatory standards and passenger experience. Once the decision is made, maintaining your onboard wheelchair is the best way to ensure its value and longevity. Choosing a chair that makes maintenance easier for airline staff will go a long way to ensuring that they and their passengers get the most out of your cabin wheelchair.
The Airchair has been designed to keep maintenance to a minimum. The castors have sealed bearings and, therefore, need no attention; the e-leather can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and/or disinfectant wipes, and the locking mechanism may benefit from a small amount of Vaseline applied to the cam every six months. This minimal maintenance is often a deciding factor for those airlines who have chosen the Airchair.
Would you like to learn more about the Airchair and how it can help your airline? Contact our team here.