Disabilities group hits out at Aer Lingus

AER LINGUS is in breach of European airline guidelines by insisting that passengers with disabilities produce medical proof of their condition.

According to the Rehab Group, Aer Lingus has signed up to the European Voluntary Airline Passenger Service Commitment, but is failing to abide by it. The organisation yesterday called on Transport Minister Martin Cullen to fully implement the Service Commitment before privatisation of the airline occurs.

Rehab Group’s director of public affairs, Angela Kerins, called for an immediate end to the requirement that passengers with learning disabilities, psychiatric illnesses and specific physical disabilities, must submit a medical certificate signed by a doctor before they are allowed to travel.

In a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Rehab Group stated that while Aer Lingus had a good track record and reputation in the provision of accessible services, the need for people with disabilities to produce medical certificates is in conflict with the Airline Passenger Service Commitment which states: “Disability should not be equated with illness and therefore people with reduced mobility must not be required to make medical declarations about their disability as a condition of travel.”

Ms. Kerins added: “We are not concerned about privatisation per se but we are worried that increased commercial pressure following privatisation will lead to further barriers for people with disabilities.

“We want to see assurances that the highest standards of service provision to people with disabilities signed up to by Aer Lingus are in place prior to and after privatisation.”

A spokesperson for Aer Lingus could not be contacted yesterday.

The Rehab Group submission calls for:

The full implementation of the voluntary Airline Passenger Service Commitment before privatisation occurs.

The establishment of a system for ongoing consultation with people with disabilities and with impaired mobility.

The removal of the requirement for people with disabilities to make medical declarations as a condition of travel.

The publication of a written policy for passengers with disabilities by Aer Lingus in accessible formats.