Easyjet has had its fine increased tenfold after appealing against a ruling over wheelchair-user Marie-Patricia Hoarau.
The low cost airline had refused to carry 41-year old Hoarau when she admitted she couldn’t get to an emergency exit on her own, even though a pilot travelling on the same flight had agreed to sit next to her.
EasyJet was fined €5,000 by a French court in 2010. Hoarau was awarded €5,000 damages.
The French passenger said the British airline made her feel like a ‘social outcast’ when they forced her off the flight because she was flying alone.
But the airline insisted it was complying with UK and European safety regulations and appealed against the decision.
An appeals court increased the fine ten-fold this week, ordering the airline to pay €50,000, around £42,000.
