Disabled charity challenges UK airports
28th July 2009
Disabled travellers are still facing discrimination at UK airports, according to charity Leonard Cheshire Disability.
This is despite a European Union (EU) ruling passed last year that means it’s now the airport’s responsibility, and not the airlines’, to assist travellers with a disability onto their flights.
The charity blames airports for not training staff to deal with travellers with limited or no mobility.
Katie Turner, Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Senior Campaigns Officer for National Campaigns, said: “Airports must ensure that all staff are properly trained and equipped to work with disabled passengers and take the time to listen to and understand their assistance needs.”
However, industry body ABTA has called on disabled travellers to advise airports in advance if they think they’ll need help.
“Service providers ideally need advance notification more than 48 hours prior to departure. Failure to do so has led to delays and inconveniences, with appropriate resources difficult to allocate at short notice,” an ABTA statement said.
>>Have you, or family and friends, had any experiences, good or bad, at UK airports? Share your experiences at our community website goWander.com
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