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EDF Human Rights Report 2025 - Rights Delayed: Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities

EDF Human Rights Report 2025 - Rights Delayed: Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities

Equal access to transport is essential for persons with disabilities to fully participate in society, including in work, education and leisure. This right is protected by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the EU and all its Member States.

As global mobility grows, air travel has become a key way to move between countries and a vital mode of transport for people living on islands or in remote areas.

Despite Regulation 1107/2006, which aims to improve access to air travel, passengers with disabilities still face significant barriers and discrimination. The European Disability Forum’s (EDF) 9th Human Rights Report on air travel explores the practical barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from travelling by plane and examines the impact of applicable EU legislation. 

Some key facts

  • EDF’s survey shows a stark reality: 67% of respondents, 97% of whom were persons with disabilities, say air travel is still not equally accessible to them.
  • The report exposes serious concerns: some airlines continue to violate EU rules by limiting assistance, denying assistance dogs, requiring medical forms, or charging for support.
  • Because EU rules are unclear, passengers with disabilities face a lottery of rights: limits on how many can board, unclear rules on equipment, inconsistent demands for accompanying persons, and uneven access to onboard wheelchairs.
  • EU oversight of air passenger rights for persons with disabilities is inconsistent: few National Enforcement Bodies (NEBs) can issue binding decisions, fines vary wildly, cooperation with disability organisations is limited, enforcement teams are often just one person, and only one NEB offers information on alternative redress.
  • Many passengers with disabilities still face digital barriers and unregulated challenges. From inaccessible websites to complex travel procedures, airplane accessibility, and high costs not yet addressed by EU legislation.

Updates

Published in December 2025:

  • Eindhoven Airport collaborates with organisations of persons with disabilities including Stichting Disability, Vliegen met Autisme, Manon van de Heuvel Foundation, Stichting Ongehinderd, Koninklijke Visio and Mijksenaar.
  • Vueling changed their policies recently and now provide cabin wheelchair in all their flights.  
  • Eurowings does not have any established limit on the number of passengers with disability and reduced mobility that they allow on board.  

Download the complete report below