Airlines should face huge fines if disabled travellers are poorly treated, campaigners say
AIRLINES should face huge fines if disabled travellers are poorly treated, campaigners say.
The call will put pressure on ministers to give the Civil Aviation Authority powers to penalise the industry.
An open letter was delivered to Downing Street yesterday as part of the Rights On Flights initiative.
Disability advocate and TV presenter Sophie Morgan, 38, last night said: “Regulators need to have the powers to hand out fines when things go wrong and impact disabled travellers.
“When airlines fail us, we need to know someone has our back.
“We need to follow the lead of other countries such as Canada where penalties are given.
“Every traveller needs to have confidence when they fly and there needs to be a deterrent for acting badly.”
Demands include fines for airlines that damage wheelchairs or mobility devices and punishments for those that leave disabled passengers on flights for prolonged periods after landing.
A penalty should also be given for failing to provide adequate assistance despite being given prior warning.
The Department for Transport said it was “keen to meet with accessibility groups to discuss what can be done”.
Meanwhile, Sophie criticised the provision for wheelchair users during her trip to No 10.
She said: “The steep kerbs and steps into No 10 itself made access challenging.
“What kind of message does this send to any aspiring disabled future leaders?
“This particular building should be inclusive to everyone.”