Airport Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year
Winner: Cafe Yanımda – TUM, İGA İstanbul Airport
Café Yanımda encourages the active participation of persons with physical, sensory or cognitive differences
Cafe Yanımda – TUM, İGA Istanbul Airport, Türkiye is redefining what inclusion looks like in airport hospitality. The judges hailed it as “a fabulous initiative truly living by the company’s values,” praising its “absolute commitment to diversity and inclusion” and its role in ‘normalising’ the employment of those with special needs while enabling them to serve customers.
Since opening in 2022 in the domestic area of the airport, Cafe Yanımda was created in collaboration with F&B concessionaire TUM to actively involve persons with physical, sensory or cognitive differences. Accessibility is built into every aspect of the café, from tactile indoor maps and Braille menus to digital kiosks with 24/7 live chat support in multiple languages, calm zones for those sensitive to noise or crowds, and charging stations for electric wheelchairs.
The café employs 11 individuals from six different disability groups, providing tailored training and career development opportunities. Senior management, including the CEO, regularly engages with staff, supporting performance and fostering an inclusive culture. Profits are shared with NGOs supporting persons with disabilities, and the café has hosted over 200,000 guests, raising awareness through events such as Disability Day and Down Syndrome Day. Its contributions have also funded therapies and rehabilitation for children affected by the 2023 Antakya earthquake and those with cerebral palsy.
The Highly Commended initiative, ‘Mothers of Pride’ – Travel Food Services, multiple airports, India was recognised for its courage and emotional resonance. Judges noted that in a world “where organisations are increasingly afraid to speak up about things that really matter”, TFS humanised LGBTQIA+ inclusion through the voices of Indian mothers of queer children. Extending the campaign to Caféccino outlets and public-facing channels, it achieved over 35% engagement across India’s busiest airports.
These entries show how airports are driving inclusion through empathy, leadership and innovation. Cafe Yanımda stood out for its comprehensive, sustainable approach that embeds accessibility and empowerment at the heart of the passenger and employee experience.
FAB eZine
November 2025
The FAB eZine is published annually by The Moodie Davitt Report (MA Travel Retail).
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