Disabled man sues over wheelchair fee
A disabled man forced to pay to use a wheelchair at Stansted Airport yesterday began a landmark court case against the airport and Ryanair. Bob Ross, 54, is claiming the £18 ( €26) fee is discriminatory and no one should have to pay for such a service.
The community worker from Islington, London, has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth.
He was charged €26 for the use of a wheelchair when he flew from London to Perpignan in France in February last year and again on his return journey.
Mr Ross told Central London County Court that he rarely used a chair, preferring crutches or sticks instead, but that he finds walking extremely painful. The 1km journey through the airport was too much for the regular traveller to manage, the court heard.
“The distance at Stansted is such that it is totally impossible for me to get from the check-in desk to the plane without using a wheelchair,” said Mr Ross.
Stansted Airport and Ryanair, with whom Mr Ross was flying, disagree over which of them should foot the bill. The airline denies it provides any service at the airport and that it is provided by Stansted Airport Limited, a subsidiary of BAA. The airport argues that the responsibility for helping passengers reach the plane lies with the airline.
Ryanair is the only airline in Britain that does not provide wheelchairs free of charge to those that need them at Stansted.
Jason Galbraith-Marten, for Mr Ross, described Ryanair as a “no frills airline”. He said: “Ryanair adopted a position suggesting that use of wheelchairs was a matter of choice ... a frill akin to sandwiches or newspapers, and Ryanair does not provide that frill.”
Mr Ross has now bought a wheelchair to avoid the cost as Ryanair does not charge for helping passengers who have their own.
The case is being brought on behalf of Mr Ross by the Disability Rights Commission, which is looking for the removal of the charge and unspecified damages.
Mr Ross said he used Ryanair because it was the only airline that flew to Perpignan, where he travelled several times a year.
Romie Tager QC, counsel for Ryanair, suggested to Mr Ross: “As far as you’re concerned these are extremely rich organisations and one or the other could afford to pay for the wheelchair.”
Mr Ross said he was unable to use the moving walkways or rest on airport trolleys to help him walk.
Ryanair UK and European airports general manager Sinead Conroy said its decision not to pay for wheelchairs was due to their efforts to keep prices down.
Brian Langstaff QC, for Stansted Airport Limited, asked: “This is purely a consideration of cost?”
Miss Conroy replied: “Indeed.”
The hearing was adjourned until today.
