To help handle the increasing number of physically disabled people flying overseas, two support groups for the handicapped held class Tuesday for airline crews at Narita Airport to show them how their flights can be made more comfortable.

The seminar was the first of its kind in Japan, according to Shoji Nakanishi, representative of the Human Care Association.

About 50 employees from 14 airlines attended the class, which was also sponsored by the Japanese chapter of Disabled People International.

Human Care staffer Emiko Nakahara, who has muscular dystrophy, discussed the disorders and conditions of people in wheelchairs, explaining that assistance rendered should vary according to why a person uses a wheelchair.

"Flying on airplanes takes a lot of courage for us," Nakahara said. "But when things go smoothly at airports, it gives us confidence and eventually leads us to open our world in society."

Some participants practiced moving handicapped people into and out of wheelchairs and also tried to help escort visually impaired people.

"This is the first time I have directly spoken with disabled people who use wheelchairs," said Mika Hayashi, a ground crew staffer for Japan Air System. She said her firm offered classes on supporting the disabled but that they only used manuals.

"This gave me an opportunity to understand that we need to offer support by thinking as if we were in their shoes," she said.

"People in wheelchairs are asked to change into wheelchairs provided by the airlines, but this can cause difficulties because our wheelchairs are tailor-made," Nakanishi said.

He added that similar seminars should be held at other airports to spread information and understanding about the difficulties disabled people face during air travel.