who is it for?
Under new European law, if you are disabled or have difficulty moving around you can receive assistance when you fly to and from Europe.
You do not need to be permanently or physically disabled to benefit from this service. In fact, anyone who has restricted mobility, for example because of their disability, age or a temporary injury, can receive help when they fly.
The definition of restricted mobility includes difficulty getting around unaided or using a normal means of transport, climbing stairs, leaving home with or without assistance, or difficulty sitting, standing or bending.
As well as your flight, the law also covers the booking process, arriving at the airport, checking in, getting on and off the plane and leaving the airport. The regulation applies to tour operators and travel agents as well as to airports and airlines. This means that tour operators and travel agents must explain your needs to the airlines, and they in turn must explain to the airports.
how we can help
If you are a traveller with restricted mobility and have a complaint about your air travel, the Equality and Human Rights Commission will provide advice and example letters to send to the parties involved.
If the Equality and Human Rights Commission refers your complaint to us, we will provide a mediation service between you and the travel providers involved.
For more information from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, click here
LEGISLATION
The legislation relating to Air Travel Accessibility is; PDF VERSION OF ALL BELOW ARTICLES TO FOLLOW
- Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
- Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility) Regulations 2007
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – Rights of Access
LEAFLETS
To download a leaflet about your rights to fly, click here
Air Travel Code of Practice
The Department for Transport has published a code of practice called ‘Access to air travel for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility’.
It gives guidance to the UK air travel industry on how it can meet its legal obligations and sets out the good practice needed to make sure disabled people and people with reduced mobility enjoy a consistent and seamless level of service when travelling by air. The code covers the whole journey, from accessing information at the booking stage through to arriving at the final destination.
Please note, these links are provided for information, and are not a substitute for legal advice.