Passengers with reduced mobility still less likely to fly
People with a disability or a reduced mobility are significantly less likely than other passengers to have flown in the last 12 months, with many fearing things will go wrong, according to the CAA’s latest research.
Just 39% of people with a disability are classified as ‘recent flyers’, meaning they have taken a flight in the past year. This compares with 52% of those without a disability.
However the research shows that 78% of those who request in advance the special assistance they are entitled to at airports and on airlines are either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with their experience.
In addition the research also shows that those people with a disability, who are recent flyers, are just as likely to fly multiple times per year as other frequent flyers.
Research identifies that one of the reasons for the disparity relates to concerns over access, including both physical and communication barriers, along with expectations that things could go wrong.
However, where recent flyers pre-notified airports and airlines and requested assistance, satisfaction levels are high with the services provided.
The findings are revealed in new consumer-focused research, which the CAA commissioned to understand more about people’s behaviours, needs and attitudes toward air travel.
Iain Osborne, group director for regulatory policy at the CAA, said: "Where people with reduced mobility request special assistance in advance, they are often very satisfied with the service they get at airports and on board airlines and some, who fly multiple times a year, are clearly confident flyers.
"However there is a significant number of other disabled passengers, who have low expectations about air travel, and fear things will go wrong and the evidence shows this group are infrequent or non-flyers.
"Sadly it would appear one of the biggest barriers to flying is a lack of understanding and information about the specially tailored special assistance airports and airlines are legally obliged to provide, which enables people with a disability or reduced mobility – to go from departure to arrival with minimal fuss and ease.
"Our role as a consumer champion is to make sure everyone has fair access to air travel and the opportunity to have an enjoyable experience and we will be doing further work with industry to make this happen by promoting special assistance and improving consistency of the service 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
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