Airlines and airports ordered to help disabled passengers
Airlines and airports are being threatened with prosecution unless they provide disabled passengers with assistance.
On Monday, the Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility) Regulations 2014 came into effect, giving the Civil Aviation Authority the power to ensure both airlines and airports comply with European regulations to provide special assistance to passengers with a disability or reduced mobility.
This includes help when travelling through an airport, boarding or disembarking an aircraft and help during a flight.
The ultimate sanction for businesses which persistently fail to comply is an Enforcement Order, which could result in prosecution, but the CAA said it expects the majority of problems will be resolved without court action.
It said it has been working with major airlines and airports since August to improve the quality of ‘special assistance’ information available on their websites.
Following an industry-wide consultation, 50 airlines and all UK airports were asked to make sure this information was more comprehensive, clearer to understand and displayed just one click away from their website’s homepage.
They were also asked to include a helpline number, so passengers can pre-arrange special assistance and have information on how to complain.
The CAA’s director of regulatory policy Iain Osborne, added: "In using these new powers we aim to ensure the passenger experience for disabled people and people with a reduced mobility is further improved and enhanced.
"Good and easily accessible information relating to special assistance is essential for passengers with reduced mobility.
"When we reviewed airlines’ and airports’ websites, we found this was not always easy to find and often unclear and lacking in detail. So we have worked with the industry to make sure it is presented in a much clearer fashion and just one click from the homepage.
"It is pleasing to note that most airlines and airports have now made these improvements. Where this is not the case, the CAA will work with the airlines and airports involved to bring them into full compliance.
"This increased level of clarity will enable passengers to better plan their trip, or allow them to choose between different airlines or airports depending on the level of assistance available."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events