Airlines to carry guide dogs and wheelchairs for free

AIRLINES will have to carry wheelchairs and guide dogs for free and will also be banned from limiting the number of disabled people they carry on flights under new EU rules.

Airports will have to provide help and services free of charge to those with reduced mobility, while tour operators and airlines will not be allowed to refuse bookings from people with reduced mobility.

The legislation, part of which comes into force today, was drawn up in response to the policies of Ryanair — sued for charging a passenger £18 (€26.93) for a wheelchair in 2002. Two years ago, the airline removed a number of blind passengers from a flight. Ryanair, under its rules, only permits a maximum of four disabled people on board, on the basis that any more would impede the crew’s ability to evacuate a plane within 90 seconds in an emergency.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said yesterday: “We will comply with all EU legislation.”

The new rules are part of a drive to ensure the physically and intellectually disabled along with the elderly, infirm, the blind and those recovering from surgery can avail of air transport in exactly the same way as the able-bodied, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said.

An estimated one in 10 people in the EU are affected by reduced mobility. These are mainly disabled and elderly people while others are unable to walk the long distances frequently required in airports because of injury.

The first phase of the new regulations operational from today bans airlines and tour operators from refusing to carry or take bookings from passengers on the basis of reduced mobility.

Exceptions can be made only for safety reasons that can be clearly demonstrated, the commission said.

From July 2008, airports will have to give free assistance to people to get around the airport while airlines will have to carry wheelchairs and guide dogs for free with passengers.

“The phasing-in of these rules will put an end to discrimination and give disabled and elderly passengers the help they need,” said Mr Barrot.

Each country is to have a specific body responsible for enforcing the rules — some countries already have done so but Ireland has not.