By Milie York
Published in at today, 8th November 2024
Disabled passengers will benefit from better protections when flying thanks to a new expert group announced yesterday by the Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, at Manchester Airport.
Spearheaded by Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the new Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group will run in partnership between industry and consumers and look at tackling the biggest barriers to air travel for disabled passengers.
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The taskforce will include presenter Sophie Morgan, the co-founder of global disability group Rights on Flights and a pioneering campaigner for improved aviation accessibility.
Sophie’s advocacy has led the push for more inclusivity within the aviation industry and played a pivotal part in raising awareness of the challenges disabled air passengers face. Sophie’s recent documentary ‘Fight to Fly’ highlighted the unacceptable treatment disabled passengers can often face when flying.
Sophie commented: “This is an important milestone in the ongoing fight for rights on flights. For far too long disabled people have suffered when flying and enough is enough.
“By establishing the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group the UK Government has sent a powerful message to the community and airline industry, that change is in the air.”
The taskforce will engage directly with individuals who have firsthand experience of flying with a disability, ensuring the group can act as a platform to advocate for disabled passengers and that consumer voices are at the heart of progress.
Thanks to the group’s unique partnership bringing consumers and industry together, the taskforce will spend the next nine months reviewing how to tackle problems that impact disabled passengers’ travel experience and dignity. Issues such as being left onboard aircraft without timely assistance, poorly handled wheelchairs, inadequate service, lack of access to toilet facilities, and limited access to clear information could be included.
The group is set to meet for the first time later this month. Its membership will include industry representation from Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, BA, travel association ABTA, assistance providers, as well as London Stansted, East Midlands, Manchester and Glasgow airports.
The group will agree short- and long-term practical and achievable actions that can be implemented by the industry, the regulator, or the government and will lead to real improvements for disabled passengers.
The Transport Secretary said: “Everyone has the right to travel with dignity and it is vital we ensure that flying is an accessible, safe and enjoyable experience for all.
“For too long, disabled passengers haven’t had the standard of assistance and service they need. That’s why we are bringing together this expert taskforce to drive forward change.
“Under the leadership of Baroness Grey-Thompson and with accomplished members like Sophie Morgan, this group will help break down barriers and deliver lasting and meaningful improvements to ensure passengers always comes first.”
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who has extensive experience in campaigning for and delivering accessibility improvements across all modes of transport, will lead the group, which will deliver a series of recommendations and proposed actions to the Transport Secretary next year.
Chair of the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, added: “I am looking forward to working with disabled people, industry experts and the Department for Transport to improve access to flying.
“It is essential that the rights of each passenger are protected at every aspect of their journey, so they can travel with the respect they deserve.”
London Gatwick airport has partnered with AccessAble to launch a series of bespoke Detailed Access Guides, helping passengers navigate more easily, safely, and confidently through the airport.
Reference :
At today
https://attoday.co.uk/accessible-aviation-group-to-ensure-disabled-passengers-gain-better-protections-when-flying/
