Disabled athlete drops legal action against Luton Airport
A disabled athlete who dragged himself through Luton Airport is dropping his legal action following an improvement in the airport’s disabled facilities.
Justin Levene’s self-propelling wheelchair was left behind on a flight last August, and although he was offered a rigid high-backed chair he refused because he said it removed his independence.
Instead he dragged himself along the ground through the arrivals terminal.
Luton Airport says it has since acquired 10 self-propelled wheelchairs. In addition, it is able to lend people replacement equipment, such as wheelchairs, free of charge as well as organise and fund the returns process, and, when it has pre-notification of a requirement for very specialised mobility equipment, it has an arrangement with a local disability resource centre to source the necessary items.
Levene, an international wheelchair athlete, trainer and mentor to disabled athletes, told the BBC: "If Luton now has self-propelling wheelchairs, and a loan system in case of loss or damage to a wheelchair, then I’m delighted with this outcome.
"This was never about money, it was about trying get a change in policy.
"I am happy to drop my legal claim because Luton has taken on board my concerns and improved their disabled facilities for the better.
"I hope that media coverage has helped raise awareness of issues around the mobility needs of disabled travellers.
"We simply want to get from A to B with as much dignity and independence as possible."
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
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