Paralympic Champion to Lead Group Improving Air Travel Accessibility for Disabled Passengers

Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has been appointed to chair a new expert group focused on enhancing air travel for disabled passengers. This body, named the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group and announced by the government, aims to ensure flying is accessible to all “from booking to baggage claim”. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh stated, “For too long, disabled passengers haven’t had the standard of assistance and service they need.” In September, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, who uses a wheelchair, was compelled to crawl along the floor of a Polish Airlines LOT plane to reach the toilet. The correspondent, who has been paralysed since being shot by al-Qaeda gunmen in Saudi Arabia 20 years ago, described his ordeal as both physically deeply uncomfortable and degrading. LOT, an airline operating routes to and from Heathrow, indicated that it does not maintain a policy of carrying onboard aisle chairs, unlike British Airways, Easyjet, and other carriers that include them as standard equipment. Our correspondent remarked that it was shameful for disabled passengers departing from British airports to continue facing such discrimination. Heathrow Airport, which is not part of the taskforce, affirmed its “committed to making air travel more accessible” and has commissioned research into obstacles hindering air travel access, which it would be “pleased to share”. The airport also stated it is collaborating with its airline partners and an advisory panel to “transform the service for passengers requiring support”. A spokesperson for London Gatwick expressed support for “any initiative to make flying more accessible”. They highlighted that the airport was “proud of the work we do to improve accessibility” and mentioned its recognition by Airports Council International, a global organization of airport authorities, for these efforts. In August, Baroness Grey-Thompson herself experienced a situation where she had to “crawl off” a train upon its arrival at London’s King’s Cross, having waited unsuccessfully for assistance for 20 minutes. LNER subsequently stated it was investigating the incident and was “sorry to understand” that “an issue” had occurred at the station. The newly established group, which also comprises Sophie Morgan, co-founder of the global disability campaign body Rights on Flights, is scheduled to convene its inaugural meeting later this month. Following a nine-month review, it is slated to present recommendations and proposed measures to the transport secretary next year. The Department for Transport indicated that “The taskforce will engage directly with individuals who have first-hand experience of flying with a disability, ensuring the group can act as a platform to advocate for disabled passengers and that consumer voices are at the heart of progress.” The department further stated that the group “will run in partnership between industry and consumers and look at tackling the biggest barriers to air travel for disabled passengers”. It will include industry representatives from airlines such as Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, and BA, along with the travel association ABTA, and airports including London Stansted, East Midlands, Manchester, and Glasgow. The Department for Transport confirmed that the group will “agree short and long-term practical and achievable actions that can be implemented by the industry, the regulator or the government”. Baroness Grey-Thompson commented, “I am looking forward to working with disabled people, industry experts and the Department for Transport to improve access to flying.” She added, “It is essential that the rights of each passenger are protected at every aspect of their journey, so they can travel with the respect they deserve.” Ms Morgan remarked, “This is an important milestone in the ongoing fight for rights on flights. For far too long disabled people have suffered when flying and enough is enough.” She also stated that the group intends to be “holding airports and airlines to account”. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she asserted, “We need to improve laws without question, without a shadow of a doubt.” She further noted, “There’s enough horror stories out there.” She expressed her hope that the civil aviation authority would be granted increased authority to “fine or punish” airlines failing to adequately cater to disabled passengers. She concluded that, through the establishment of this new expert group, the government had “sent a powerful message to the community and airline industry that change is in the air”. Louise Haigh commented, “Under the leadership of Baroness Grey-Thompson and with accomplished members like Sophie Morgan, this group will help break down barriers and deliver lasting and meaningful improvements to ensure passengers always comes first.” Fazilet Hadi, head of policy at Disability Rights UK, highlighted that disabled passengers frequently encounter issues such as being stranded on aircraft, experiencing damage to their wheelchairs, grappling with inadequate communication, and receiving substandard passenger assistance. She further stated that the group’s effectiveness would hinge on “what action government and industry take.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. 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