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Disabled air passengers win new rights
New rules designed to improve access to air travel for disabled passengers have been agreed by the European Parliament.
The EU-wide regulations, including banning airlines from refusing to carry disabled people, will start coming into effect by the end of 2006.
Amendments adopted by MEPs in the European Parliament ensure that disabled people may not be refused transport on the grounds of their disability or reduced mobility and that assistance must be given to them free of charge at the airport and/or on the aircraft, provided they give 48 hours notice.
The new regulations apply to all disabled people, as well as people with reduced mobility.
The rules also state that the managing body of an airport is responsible for ensuring that assistance is provided, but that it may also contract out this service to airlines and that a charge will be levied on airlines, with the amount determined according to the proportion of total passengers from that carrier using the airport.
The regulations also allow for guide dogs to be taken on long haul flights at the discretion of their owners.
Robert Evans MEP (Labour, London), who led the debate, said: “Too many people – the elderly or those with disabilities – complain of being neglected or, worse still, maltreated at Europe’s airports.
“Fundamental rights for disabled passengers when travelling by air ought to be something we take for granted. However, the reality can be very different.
“One example is Ryanair and the insulting manner in which it treats disabled passengers. It is probably the best-publicised culprit, but there are plenty of others and not just the low-cost carriers.”
He added the rules would create a “seamless service” for passengers, from any point of arrival at any of the airports in the EU, to destinations – including transfers, “which are often the most traumatic experiences for people”.
Evans said: “The aim is to ensure that people with reduced mobility and disabled passengers enjoy the same rights when travelling by air as you or I, without incurring any additional costs – the costs being spread across every passenger handled by the air carrier and included in the price of the ticket.”
Report by Phil Davies
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