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Budget airline Ryanair's practice of charging disabled passengers for the use of wheelchairs was ruled as unlawful in a landmark case, writes Amy Taylor.

The Disability Rights Commission supported disabled Londoner Bob Ross's test case. It wants Ryanair to pay compensation to 35 other disabled people who have complained about paying the charge or face group legal action.

Ross's case was against the airline and Stansted Airport Limited. Both accepted that Ross should not have had to pay the fee, but disagreed about who was responsible. Ryanair is planning to appeal against the ruling that it should cover the cost.

Ross, who has cerebral palsy and arthritis, was charged £18 for the use of a wheelchair when he flew out of Stansted in March 2002 and again on his return the following month. He is not a full-time wheelchair user, but needs to use one when standing for long periods of time or when travelling over long distances, such as at Stansted.

A judge ruled that Ryanair were required to make a 'reasonable adjustment' for Ross under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 by providing him with a wheelchair free of charge.