Travelling with diabetes might be a challenging experience, in particular, if something does not go as expected. Last year we were contacted on numerous occasions by people with diabetes who experienced some challenges in relation to their diabetes technology at the Dublin Airport Departure Security screening. For example, some were advised it was safe to wear insulin pumps and/or CGMs while passing through airport body scanners and were not offered alternative scans (e.g. pat-down screening), whereas this might have contradicted the manufacturer’s advice: with so many different models of pumps and CGMs (e.g. some CGM sensors can go through scanning, some don’t) it is best to trust the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some who pointed it out to airport security staff found the interaction frustrating and stressful, overall affecting their experience at the Dublin Airport.

Yesterday, Diabetes Ireland met with Dublin Airport representatives to highlight these challenges and present the perspective of a person with diabetes. Although many people have not experienced any issues, some have, therefore we explained the complexity of diabetes technology and advocated for respectful collaboration and mutual respect, as well as a standardised approach to offering alternative screening options if a person with diabetes is unsure about the safety of their CGM or pumps in body scanners. We also outlined how unnecessarily stressful the screening process may be for some if no standardised approach is implemented.

The meeting was very positive and our concerns were heard and understood with solutions discussed including having the correct information on the Dublin Airport website, support training and awareness for all airport staff, and ensuring alternative screening options if a person with diabetes is unsure about the safety of their technology in body scanners with the aim of making travelling a less stressful and more positive experience overall. We look forward to working with Dublin Airport staff to implement these solutions and we thank Dublin Airport staff for recognizing the needs of people with diabetes.