Home > Fact > Ouch Q&A #17: New air travel rights 2007/2008
Ouch Q&A #17: New air travel rights 2007/2008
6th August 2007
Q: I'm scared witless of flying. It's not the thought of plummeting thousands of feet out of the sky if the engines fail, but the potential humiliation of not even getting on the damn plane. However, I hear my fears will soon be unfounded?
A: Yes, Euro MP Robert Evans has championed a which means that airlines and travel companies will no longer be able to refuse to fly people on the basis of disability.
Q: And this would apply to Ryanair too?
A: Yes, even budget airline Ryanair - much publicised for its, erm, not so brilliant of disabled people - will not be exempt from this one.
Q: So all those air travel horror stories will be a thing of the past?
A: That's the aim. No more headlines about nine blind and partially sighted travellers being because there were too many disabled people on the plane. No more scandalous "one head, one bottom and a torso cannot possibly fly on its own" comments from a charming Air France employee about a .
Q: This sounds too good to be true for a jetsetter like me. Is it?
A: The first stage of the Regulations - prohibiting refusal of booking or embarkation - came into force on 26 July this year. However, there are still very occasional circumstances where these rights might not apply, for instance where there are legitimate safety or technical reasons why a disabled person cannot board an aircraft.
Q: Argh, the old health and safety rules! Are there any other catches?
A: Yes, these rights only apply to flights between and within European countries.
Q: That's the first stage, then. What is the second stage of the Regulations all about?
A: From 26 July 2008, every airport that carries more than 150,000 passengers a year will need to have arrangments in place that enable disabled travellers to board, disembark and transit between fights - without charge.
Q: Hurrah! Is there more?
A: Oh yes. All staff have to receive disability awareness training and refresher training.
Q: Sounds like some disability equality trainers are in for a bonanza. What about if I need help on the plane?
A: Yep, that's in there too. The 2008 duties require airlines to assist passengers with mobility impairments to get to the toilet, and to provide essential information - such as safety guidance - in an accessible format. They also need to take "reasonable steps" to accommodate the seating needs of disabled passengers.
Q: And what should I do if I come across an airline flouting the Regulations?
A: Contact the . They are responsible for enforcing the Regulation and imposing penalties.
Q: Oh, compensation payments! Will I get enough to be able to afford my own personal jet?
A: Don't start shopping around for one, no. For some abuses there are unlimited fines, but past cases of a similar nature have resulted in sums of between £1000 - £5000.
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Comments
So the regulation came into force.
It always takes some time for new rules to become effective.
But sadly, now in 2009, there are still too many horror stories which disabled airtravellers can tell.
For isntance BAA and BA have been failing at Heathrow to comply with the new rules - see OUCH messageboards.
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