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ABTA welcomes new disability legislation
ABTA has expressed its support for new legislation which makes it illegal for an airline to refuse a booking on the grounds of disability.
The law, which applies to any air travel within the European Union, also covers people with temporary reduced mobility such as someone who has broken a leg whilst on holiday.
Anyone refused boarding can now complain to the Disability Rights Commission, who could then refer the case to the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the power to levy unlimited fines.
Keith Richards ABTA’s head of consumer affairs said: “This new law makes absolute sense – it supplements the UK’s own Disability discrimination Act, which already covers travel agents and tour operators and extends responsibilities to airlines and airports to ensure that customers get a seamless service.
“Discrimination tends to come from a lack of understanding rather than a lack of ability to provide a good service. Treating customers with reduced mobility makes good business sense- especially as this is a growing sector”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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