Flynas Cabin Crew Trains in Sign Language, First for Saudi Arabia

Flynas’ airline cabin crew members have started training in sign language, a first for Saudi Arabia.

Flynas, known for offering free Saudi transit visas, partnered with the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment for the training program.

The program trains cabin crew members to communicate with passengers with hearing impairments.

It covers welcoming passengers, explaining boarding procedures, and safety reminders.

The program also includes in-flight service and bidding farewell to passengers.

Flynas enhances passengers’ flight experience through the program.

Flynas on caring for people with autism

This is not the first time that Flynas has launched similar programs.

Previously, cabin crew members had also trained in interacting and communicating with passengers with autism.

The training was in partnership with the Saudi Autism Society.

Flynas ground crew services employees and cabin crew members trained in January 2024.

The airline held workshops in Riyadh during the third week of January 2024.

The Flynas training was conducted by consultants from the Saudi Autism Society.

It covered theoretical education, practical training, and ensuring passengers with autism felt comfortable.

Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, the Chairman of the Autism Society’s Board of Directors, described the Saudi Autism Society as an association that aims to “develop and intensify the comprehensive services needed by the autism group and their families, in coordination with governmental, charitable, and civil authorities, in order to create a database on autism cases of all types and the centers that provide them with care and rehabilitation in the Kingdom, and to contribute to coordinating the efforts made to care for this group by governmental, charitable, and civil authorities.”

Advocates launched the Saudi Autism Society in 2003 for the early detection of autism.

It facilitates services through the Prince Nasser bin Abdulaziz Autism Center in Riyadh, the Prince Turki bin Nasser Autism Center in Jazan, and the daycare centers in Mecca and Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

The Saudi Autism Society is the largest specialized association in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has accredited the Saudi Autism Society.

Medical flights for passengers with autism

On April 2, 2024, Flynas sponsored medical flights for passengers with autism, in recognition of World Autism Day.

For the entire year, Flynas will provide travel vouchers for its flights.

The initiative was in partnership with the Society of Autism Families.

Each month, travel vouchers cover the flights of up to 10 passengers with autism spectrum disorder, along with one companion each.

The Society of Autism Families, a charitable association, reviews applications from potential beneficiaries.

Parents of people with autism spectrum disorder founded the association.

The Society of Autism Families helps families gain access to high-quality services, provides training, and offers moral support.

Photo:Amiroslaf Dosh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons