EU backs rights for disabled air passengers

Brussels has unveiled new plans to ban outright denial of boarding to disabled passengers.

The regulation bans flight operators from denying reservations or boarding to people because of their disability or age, guaranteeing them assistance free of charge in airports and on board planes.

"Europe is strengthening citizens' rights," said EU transport chief Jacques Barrot.

"The commission is proposing an important social measure which will enable the elderly and people with reduced mobility to travel in Europe under the best possible conditions".

The proposals were prompted by a legal dispute in the UK over airline Ryanair's decision in 2003 to charge a disabled passenger for assistance.

Under the plans a centralised system of special services for the disabled will be provided by individual airport operators, with funding from the airlines.

National governments will be able to lay down penalties and set up independent bodies to deal with complaints.

The proposals were welcomed by the airports council, ACI which represents international airport operators.

"The goal is to establish a system that guarantees the provision of a seamless service for passengers with special needs, regardless of the airline on which they choose to fly."

"The centralised system will work effectively only if it applies to all airlines across the board."

But the Association of European Airlines (AEA) is lobbying for opt-outs for certain carriers.

They are concerned that if the services are transferred solely to the control of airports, "the airlines would have no control, either over the level of service provided, or over the costs charged," they said in a statement on Wednesday.

"As well as accepting the costs involved in airport service provision, airlines would be faced with a choice of maintaining their (costly) value-added branded service option, or dismantling their operation, liquidating their investment in it and releasing the staff who man it."

Brussels estimates that wheelchair assistance for passengers costs between €20-€30  per flight per disabled passenger, a "modest cost" when shared amongst the 590 million passengers who travel in the EU each year.

The proposals will have to be backed by the parliament and member states before they can become law.

• Previous article
• Next article