The revised regulation on air passenger rights, provisionally agreed by the EU Institutions on 15 June, brings significant improvements for passengers with disabilities.
We are pleased that the final text is significantly better at protecting the rights of passengers with disabilities than current regulations. We especially welcome:
- The obligation for airlines to pay for the full cost of replacement for lost or damaged mobility equipment and compensation for injured assistance dogs. This is a marked improvement over the current law, where legal liability was capped to around 3,000 euros – far short of the real cost for repairing and replacing most wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
- The obligation for airlines to provide temporary replacement at no cost if the person’s equipment gets lost or damaged or compensation for injured assistance dogs.
- The right of compensation and rerouting when passengers with disabilities miss a flight due to the lack or delay in the provision of assistance.
- The possibility for passengers with disabilities to sit with their accompanying person free of charge.
These new provisions are sorely needed, as our recent report shows that nearly 7 in 10 people with disabilities consider they are discriminated against when flying.
However, some of our demands remain unmet:
- Clearly prohibit denial of boarding on the grounds of disability.
- Uphold the right for persons with disabilities to travel without ‘needing approval’ (no prenotification requirements).
- Ensure the mutual recognition of assistance dogs throughout the EU.
We now expect the Council and the Parliament to finally approve the deal quickly, and we will advocate for a swift and equal implementation of the new law.
Gunta Anca, the President of the European Disability Forum, said:
This is excellent news for passengers with disabilities, who often live ‘waking nightmares’ when flying. We commend these improvements but will continue to advocate for true equal access for all.
Additional Information
- Council of the EU’s press release ‘Council and Parliament reach landmark agreement on stronger EU air passenger rights‘
- EDF 9th Human Rights Report ‘Rights Delayed: Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities’.
- 2023 report ‘End the nightmare: Passengers with disabilities deserve to travel by air’
Contacts
André Félix
Communications Manager – European Disability Forum
Daniel Casas
Accessibility Officer – European Disability Forum