The information guide produced by the Consumer Council informs passengers with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, of their rights and obligations when travelling through European airports.
Speaking about the importance of the new guide, the Minister said: “This guide is a positive step to informing passengers of their rights to access air travel. It is important that passengers take the time to read this guide so that they are aware not only of their rights but also their responsibilities. The Code of Practice Guidance updated last year advises that, in order to enable a seamless journey and ensure appropriate assistance is provided on arrival at the airport, passengers are obliged to give advance notice of at least 48 hours of their assistance needs.
The publication of the guide follows the introduction of new EU regulations which came into force last summer to impose legal obligations on airport operators, air carriers, their agents and tour operators. Under this regulation the responsibility of providing services to people with disabilities or reduced mobility now lies with the airport operators.
Commenting on the EU regulations, the Minister said: “Last summer I welcomed the introduction of these EU regulations, as they bring much needed consistency to the standards set across Europe, which are designed to protect the rights of passengers with disabilities and those with reduced mobility when travelling by air. I have been advised that all three airports in the north have reported a successful implementation of the regulations and remain prepared to consider future improvements to enhance the passenger experience for everyone.”
Airport operators are required to provide an assistance service to enable reduced mobility passengers to board, disembark and transit between flights. Airlines are required to provide certain assistance to passengers whilst onboard the aircraft. Costs will be recovered through a charge on airlines proportionate to the total number of passengers they carry to and from the airport with no charges to the passenger requiring assistance.
The Consumer Council NI has been designated as the complaints handling body for the north and any person who feels that a breach of the EU regulation has occurred has the right to complain to the Council.
Notes to Editors:
1. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, imposes new legal obligations on airport operators, air carriers, their agents or tour operators. The Regulation was largely progressed under the UK's Presidency of the European Union in 2005 and means that airports will now be responsible for providing assistance to travellers with disabilities. This will be standard across all European airports.
2. Passengers needing assistance must not be charged and airports must publish quality standards so that passengers can measure the service they receive against these standards. The Regulation requires all staff providing direct assistance to passengers to be suitably trained and disability awareness training will need to be provided to all staff.
3. Airlines themselves must carry passengers' medical equipment and up to two pieces of mobility equipment free of charge. They must also carry assistance dogs free of charge (on permitted routes).
4. For passengers, this will mean continuity across airports. Whereas previously standards may have differed, they are now set and passengers are entitled to full assistance regardless of the airport they are travelling from. Where this is not provided, they are able to take their complaints to GCCNI.
5. The Regulation comes into force in two stages. The first stage (prohibiting refusal of booking or embarkation) came into force on 26 July 2007. In very occasional circumstances these rights may not apply - for example, where there are legitimate safety or technical reasons why a person with a disability cannot board an aircraft.
6. Media queries to: Michaela Smyth, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
