Disabled air passengers to benefit from Europe-wide rights

1.38.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 16th Dec 2005

MEPs voted yesterday on laws concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. The measures approved will lead to increased harmonisation across Europe to ensure that passengers are not discriminated against on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility.

This comes in the wake of cases where passengers with reduced mobility or other disabilities have faced discrimination, in particular two high-profile incidents involving budget airline Ryanair. Mr Bob Ross was forced to pay £18 to hire a wheelchair, and later won over £1000 compensation when both the airline and Stansted airport were found at fault. Also, a group of partially-sighted holiday makers were been banned from flying as Ryanair said its safety policy allows no more than 4 disabled passengers per flight.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, Lib Dem Euro-MP said:

"This legislation is a very welcome first stage in securing the rights of disabled people and persons with reduced mobility and will make a significant change in the lives of the approximately 50 million disabled people in the European Union.

"Disabled people and persons with reduced mobility should have the same right as all other citizens to free movement, freedom of choice and to non-discrimination. This applies to air travel as to other areas of life."

"The behaviour of Ryanair and Stansted has been shameful. This proposed new EU law, making airlines and airports responsible for providing assistance to disabled passengers, will hopefully make such cases a thing of the past."