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Passenger Rights Still a Problem for Air Travelers with Disability

Author: European Commission
Published: 2012/06/19 - Updated: 2022/01/27
Topic: Disability Air Travel - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Disabled and reduced mobility air travelers still face problems of refusals and unfair demands when attempting to travel. The guidelines cover travelers at all EU airports and the operations of EU carriers anywhere in the world. They also cover non-EU carriers within or leaving Europe.

Introduction

Many disabled and reduced mobility air travelers still face problems of unjustified refusals, and other unfair demands when attempting to travel. As thousands of disabled Paralympians and spectators prepare to travel to London for the 2012 Olympic Games, the Commission has published guidelines to clarify their rights when traveling by air.

Main Content

Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner responsible for Transport, said:

"Dealing with disability in life is a tough enough challenge: things shouldn't get even tougher when you arrive at the airport."

The guidelines cover travelers at all EU airports and the operations of EU carriers anywhere in the world. They also cover non-EU carriers within or leaving Europe.

The aim is to clarify existing EU rules on passenger rights for disabled people and people with reduced mobility traveling by air (EC Regulation 1107/2006). They deal with problems in 22 areas on access to air travel without discrimination.

The key concerns are:

1. Pre-notification:

The guidelines highlight the importance of pre-notification. In order to allow service providers (airports or airlines) to arrange the required assistance, it is essential that disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility notify their needs at least 48 hours before the published time of departure.

2. Unjustified refusals:

Passengers report recurring problems with refusals and inconsistent requirements for medical certificates and for passengers to be accompanied.

3. Problems with medical and mobility equipment

Commenting on the new guidelines Vice President Siim Kallas said:

"My message to disabled passengers is: if you want an easier journey, tell them in advance that you are coming."

And to the airlines and airport operators I would say:

"Disabled and reduced mobility passengers will usually need your assistance. These guidelines are there to help you, in helping them."

Mr Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, said:

"Quality assistance is very important for persons with disabilities and it is positively addressed into the interpretative guidelines. The European Commission chose a balanced approach and therefore manages to protect the interest of passengers with disabilities as well as passengers with reduced mobility in a proportionate manner."

Xavier Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of the International Paralympic Committee, the organizers of the Paralympic Games, said:

"We welcome the publication of these guidelines and hope airports and airlines across Europe take note immediately".

"Just like the many passengers with a disability who fly on a daily basis, our athletes regularly experience unnecessary problems traveling through airports and with airlines. This should not be the case when we are striving for equality in society"

"This summer 4,200 athletes will be traveling to London for the biggest ever Paralympic Games. The experience they have traveling on airlines and through airports could shape how they view the success of the Games regardless of their athletic performance"

Despite EU legislation on passengers rights, disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility continue to come across problems when traveling by air:

The guidelines are based on a detailed assessment of the existing Regulation concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when traveling by air(1) (EC Regulation 1107/2006).

The guidelines have been thoroughly discussed with all stakeholders: national authorities, aviation industry (airline and airport organizations) as well as consumer and user associations, notably those representing disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.

The guidelines will help facilitate air travel for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility and thus assist air carriers and airports to improve the application of the Regulation. They will also assist national authorities with the enforcement of the Regulation. They will provide a real added value to the increased travel activity by disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility expected for the Paralympics.

(1) - "PRM" Regulation (EC) n degree1107/2006, OJ L 204, 26.7.2006, p.1

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by European Commission and published on 2012/06/19, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page: European Commission. (2012, June 19 - Last revised: 2022, January 27). Passenger Rights Still a Problem for Air Travelers with Disability. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved June 14, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/travel/airlines/problem.php

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