No more disabled evictions thanks to Labour MEPs
The European Parliament yesterday approved new laws that will make discrimination against disabled and elderly passengers a thing of the past. They will never be refused boarding by airlines again under new European proposals spearheaded by Labour MEPs in the European Parliament.
Richard Corbett MEP said:
"Gone are the days when airlines can specify that only four disabled people are allowed on a flight. If a group of 50 blind people book to fly from Gatwick to Rome, then fly they will."
The support for this legislation was overwhelming with 506 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention.
This new legislation comes in the wake of well-publicised airport fiascos including the ejection of nine blind and partially sighted passengers from a Ryanair flight and the removal of a party of deaf students from an Iberia flight.
The MEP's recommendations also ensure that there is a seamless service from any point of entry at an airport to their destination, including transfers, by shifting overall responsibility from the airlines to the airports. The airports will have the ability to contract out if they wish.
Richard Corbett MEP said:
"In this day and age where air travel is as common as car, it is a disgrace that disabled and elderly people are being turned away as they set off on their holiday just because the airline doesn't want to cater for them.
"Most airlines have made improvements since 2002 under a voluntary agreement. But without legislation enshrined in the EU law there will always be some companies who, through negligence or indifference, ruin the holidays of vulnerable people."
Richard Corbett said the legislation also recommends that guide dogs should be allowed to travel on long haul flights, airplanes should be designed in consultation with disabled people's representatives, all information should be provided in alternative formats such as Braille and audio, and that all airport and airline staff should be given disability awareness training.
The legislation will now pass to the Council of Ministers for ratification (expected before Christmas). Parts of the legislation will then come into immediate effect and the whole package by the end of 2007.
Airline statistics suggest that each year approximately 1% of passengers on scheduled flights and 1.6% of passengers on leisure flights are assisted at European airports. This amounts to some 7 million passengers per annum.
Persons with reduced mobility include not only disabled people, currently estimated at around 45 million persons in the European Union or 10% of the population, but also those unable to use air transport without assistance, such as many elderly people.
The definition of passengers with reduced mobility is physical disability (sensory or locomotors), intellectual disability, age or illness.
more information
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