Passenger charged for wheelchair use

A LANDMARK court case is being brought against low-cost airline Ryanair over charging 28 euro for the use of a wheelchair to a traveller suffering cerebral palsy and arthritis.

The case, which is also being brought against airport operator BAA, follows a complaint by a passenger who travels frequently with Ryanair from Stansted airport in Essex to Perpignan in France.

Bob Ross, from Islington, north London, said: “Unlike other airlines, I get charged for the right to access the airport’s wheelchairs. It is unfair and discriminatory to charge disabled people more to travel. Given the painful arthritis, I simply must have a wheelchair at the airport.”

The Disability Rights Commission in England has written to Ryanair and BAA giving them 14 days notice of

legal action. The action will be seeking the removal of the charge and unspecified damages.

“This is not only morally unjustifiable but we believe it contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act,” said Bert Massie, chairman of the British Government-funded DRA.

A Ryanair spokesman said the airline provides full assistance to wheelchair passengers free of charge, but they must have their own wheelchair. “Up to four wheelchair passengers are permitted on any one flight. This also applies to group bookings. To qualify for assistance, the passenger must be travelling in his or her own wheelchair.”

The spokesperson added passengers who do not have their own wheelchair will be “offered specialised assistance for a nominal fee which is payable directly to the handling company”.

Director of Services at the Irish Wheelchair Association, Ann Winslow said: “The reason the person needs an aid onto the plane is because they can’t wheel on the chair, or walk on themselves. The plane design is not the fault of the disabled individual and they shouldn’t have to pay for this.”

National Disability Authority director Clare O’Connell said there is an airline commitment “that is not legally binding, which exempts disabled people from these fees”.

The Equal Status Act 2000 states accessibility services should be provided to disabled people, but doesn’t state they should be free.