Airlines face ban on disabled discrimination

New moves to ban airlines discriminating against the disabled were announced by the European Commission today.

Proposals unveiled in Brussels would outlaw charging disabled air passengers for any special help they need as well as making it illegal to refuse boarding because of disability.

The plans were unveiled on the eve of the coming into force of a package of EU-wide rules guaranteeing compensation to all European air travellers who find themselves “bumped” from over-booked flights or delayed by cancellations without good reason.

The special measures for disabled air travellers follow a row involving a passenger who was charged £18 (€25.99) to use a wheelchair at England's Stansted Airport – almost double the cost of his £10 (€14.43) Ryanair ticket to the South of France.

Bob Ross, who has cerebral palsy and arthritis, needed the wheelchair for the half-mile journey from check-in desk to departure gate and objected to paying for its use.

Ryanair blamed the Stansted operating company, BAA, which charged for the wheelchair and, last December, the Court of Appeal ruled that both were guilty of breaching the Disability Discrimination Act. A judge ordered them to share the cost of the £1,336 (€1,929) compensation awarded to Mr Ross against Ryanair at an earlier hearing.

Mr Ross’s Euro MP, Richard Howitt, leader of the European Parliament’s Disability Rights Group, welcomed the new Commission proposals and warned follow MEPs to resist any efforts to water them down.

Mr Howitt says British Airways, British Midland and Virgin Atlantic are amongst major European airlines likely to seek an “opt-out” when the proposals are considered by the European Parliament.

The Labour MEP commented: “Airlines have generally been amongst the best for access by disabled people but it can never be acceptable for a blind person to be turned back because of their guide dog or to be stranded because their wheelchair has been damaged in transit.

“I am particularly disappointed that big name airlines with a good story to tell are seeking to undermine the proposals through an opt-out. This would be a recipe for confusion, extra cost and, ultimately, an incentive for airlines to carry fewer, not more, disabled passengers.”

About seven million European airline passengers need special help every year and Mr Howitt added: “It is clear that the force of law is needed to ensure this service is provided free of charge and the European Parliament should stand firm against the airlines and uphold rules which will guarantee independence and dignity for disabled people.”

Meanwhile, the package of compensation measures which comes into force tomorrow applies to all flights, including charters, operated by European airlines to or from any European airport.

Europe’s transport commissioner, Jack Barrot, said: “The boom in air travel needs to be accompanied by proper protection of passengers’ rights. This is a concrete example of how the EU benefits people’s daily lives.”