EU law forces airports to assist travellers with disabilities
By Darren Cronian on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

I am pleased to read this week that air passengers with disabilities will receive more assistance when travelling through Europe due to a new EU regulation 1107/2006 which makes the airport responsible for providing assistance from arrival through to boarding.

EU law forces airports to assist travellers with disabilities

It annoys me though that it takes a EU law to force airports to make sure air passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility are assisted. When did the human race become so heartless. At least passengers won’t have to wait for assistance whilst the airline and airport argue whose job it is.

It’s not my job to help elderly people take their luggage off the baggage reclaim carousel but I do it because I have manners. Most passengers I would hope, would help out a passenger less able than themselves, so airports should be ashamed of themselves.

On a side note, the US needs to introduce the same legislation..

The Consumerist reports of an incident with a Delta Airlines passenger with muscular dystrophy, who was forced to crawl down the stairs, off the plane to make sure she met her connecting flight. Neither the airline or airport assisted the passenger.

Read the story in full.

Let me know what you think about the new EU law, or if you have had a bad experience in an airport


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3 responses to “EU law forces airports to assist travellers with disabilities”

Nick | 31 July, 2008 at 11:30 am

Darren,

One thing I will say having experienced this with my grandmother several times is that airport assistance is normally very good. But they need to know your coming. If the airport has 25 passengers booked in between 9 -12 then it will have staff on to cope, if 50 turn up then it has problems. This happens more than you may think.

Travel Agents ask if people have any disability. We do get a lot of no’s. Even from people standing before us using a walking stick or in one case a guy with his leg in plaster. Sometimes it is easy to tell; other times we do not see the customer requiring assistance.

It is important when you book to tell whoever your booking with you need assistance, even if 8 times out of 10 you do not, it is better to be prepared than not.

I will give you the 3 basic ways the industry class passengers and level of assistance needed. (There is a lot more). I have simplified things here.

Basic level, customer may have problems walking distances or with steps.
(Help to or from aircraft)
Mid level, customer can only walk a few paces.
(Help to and from seat, suitable seat on aircraft)
High Level, customer is unable to move without aids/assistance
(Help to and from seat, plus correct seat, maybe on board wheelchair)

These will cover most passengers but other levels of assistance include for example blind passengers. Non of this is new.

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Rohan | 31 July, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Darren that is good news. Nick is spot on – the Uk doesn’t fail travellers with disabilities, the problem is when you go abroad. Spain is terrible, so is Italy.

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Greg | 3 September, 2008 at 6:59 pm

Am flying with XL Airways at the end of this month. I mentioned needing a seat with more legroom due to arthritis to the Holiday Company. I then was advised to contact XL direct which I did, they were extremely helpful and sent me a Medical form to fill in and required a Dr’s letter regarding my condition. With the Dr’s letter received they will then give a larger pitch seat at no charge, without the letter it would have been £20 each way.

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