Airline faces action over wheelchair fee

Alandmark test case is to be brought against Ryanair and the
British Airports Authority after it emerged that disabled people
were being charged to use wheelchairs at Stansted Airport.

The Disability Rights Commission announced plans for court action
after a traveller had to pay £18 each way to use one of the
airport’s wheelchairs.

Bob Ross, who has cerebral palsy and arthritis, said: “It is unfair
and discriminatory to charge disabled people more to travel.”

Commission chairperson Bert Massie was “appalled” by the policy of
charging for wheelchairs. “Not only is it morally unjustifiable but
we believe it contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act,” he
said.

The commission has written to Ryanair and the airport authority
giving them 14 days’ notice of legal action after attempts to
negotiate with both parties failed.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said the company believed it was the
airport’s responsibility to provide wheelchairs.

But the airport authority said that, after the passenger had
checked in, it was the airline that had to provide wheelchairs.