The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on April 26 unveiled its augmentative and alternative communication cards to raise the in-flight convenience of hearing-impaired and foreign passengers. (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) cards will make communication on flights easier for hearing-impaired and foreign passengers.

In partnership with the National Aviation Museum and 10 domestic carriers including Korean Air and Asiana, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on April 26 said it will produce and distribute such cards for both types of passengers.

The AAC cards are expected to greatly improve in-flight passenger service by alleviating inconvenience in communication faced by hearing-impaired and foreign passengers, particularly in emergencies and when requesting food and beverages.

Each card has 25 images in four sectors including first aid and in-flight meal service.

The country's 10 airlines will use the cards from next month.

"We expect the card to be highly effective since the hearing impaired directly took part in its development," said Kim Young-guk, director-general of the ministry's Aviation Policy Bureau. "The plan is to expand the card's use to all 73 foreign airlines serving the nation."

aisylu@korea.kr