Air Travel For Disabled Passengers is 'Developing'

Air travel for disabled passengers is "developing" in a "positive" way, say industry experts.

Tourism for All, a national registered charity which provides information to people with disabilities in relation to accessible accommodation and other tourism services, said that new legislation has improved the situation.

Brian Seaman, spokesperson for Tourism for All, said: "The airports themselves, where it's a built environment, all have a duty to make their properties and facilities available to people with disabilities, under the Disability Discrimination Act legislation.

"The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee actually has a working group that's been looking at the accessibility of airliners, in particular – the layout and configuration of new aeroplanes, so that they will be more accessible for people."

He added that the sorts of adjustments that might be made include having a larger toilet onboard.

Recent legislation from the European Commission has meant that from July 26th 2007 air carriers and their agents and tour operators cannot refuse to accept a reservation from a passenger or deny them boarding to an aircraft on the grounds of disability or reduced mobility except on grounds of safety.

Travel Industry News posted on 18/01/2008 08:29:48