DRC welcomes 'landmark' airport wheelchair ruling

Tuesday, 21 December 2004 12:00 AM

Disability rights groups have warmly welcomed today's Court of Appeal ruling that airports and airlines are jointly responsible for providing free wheelchair use for disabled passengers.

The case concerns British traveller Bob Ross, who challenged an £18 charge by Ryanair to use a wheelchair to get between check-in and the
plane in 2002. He said that this charge was discriminatory because he was a disabled passenger.

In January 2003 he was awarded £1,300 compensation. But, Ryanair appealed against the decision, arguing that the free wheelchair service
should be provided by the airport, Stansted.

But today, the judge ruled they were jointly liable, and both had discriminated against him in charging for wheelchair use.

Speaking after his victory, Mr Ross said: "It's been clear to me all along that I was treated unfairly by having to pay more to fly than non
disabled people."

The chairman of the Disability Rights Commission - who has been supporting Mr Ross in his case - said that the case sent a clear signal to
other operators.

Bert Massie, said: "This decision sends a signal to every airport and airline that disabled people will no longer put up with a second class
service. And that they have the firm backing of the law to ensure that fair treatment prevails."

The DRC is also supporting 30 other people who were charged for wheelchair use in similar circumstances.

Ryanair said it believed the court ruling meant that BAA (the owners of Stansted) had to accept more responsibility. Ryanair's head of
communications, Paul Fitzsimmons, said: "We welcome the decision by the Court of Appeal to clearly and unambiguously impose a responsibility upon the British Airports Authority to provide for wheelchair access through its terminal buildings.

"Today's decision vindicates Ryanair's decision to appeal the Ross case, and highlights again that Ryanair is fighting on behalf of disabled
passengers to force those few airport managers, such as the BAA, to provide free of charge wheelchair access in a manner similar to most other European airports."

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