EU improves access to air transport for disabled, elderly people
BRUSSELS, July 24: New European Union (EU) rules that will give disabled people and the elderly access to air transport without difficulty enter into force on Saturday.
Two articles of the 2006 EU regulation that prohibit the refusal by airlines and tour operators to carry passengers or to take bookings, on the basis of reduced mobility came into force a year ago.
The remaining articles that will take effect on Saturday cover virtually every step of the passenger's stay at the airport and his or her embarkation and disembarkation.
"The phasing–in of these rules will put an end to discrimination and give disabled and elderly passengers the help they need when traveling," said Antonio Tajani, the European Commission vice president responsible for transport.
As from Saturday, EU airports will have to provide a specific set of services for persons with reduced mobility from the moment they enter the airport to the boarding gate, at both the airport of departure and the airport of arrival.
The assistance must be adapted to the mobility of the person benefiting from it. These passengers will be able to use airport infrastructure in the same way as any other passengers. When boarding starts, they will enjoy priority boarding, under the best conditions and with the necessary equipment.
On flights from EU airports and the airports in a third country to an EU airport, if the air carrier is European, airlines will be obliged to provide certain services, such as carrying wheelchairs and guide dogs, free of charge.
Under the legislation, any person affected by a disability or by reduced mobility and wishing to receive assistance is requested to indicate his or her particular requirements to their travel agency or air carrier as soon as possible.
The EU member states have to set up enforcement bodies responsible for ensuring that the regulation is applied on their territory.
If any person affected by a disability or by reduced mobility considers that these rights have not been respected, he can bring the matter to the attention of the airport management or the airline in question.
If they are not satisfied with the response, a complaint can be made to the national enforcement body designated by the member state concerned.
Most of the member states have already sent the commission a list of the names and addresses of their enforcement body, while others have indicated their intention to name their body shortly.
About a third of the EU's population suffer from reduced mobility. These are mainly disabled persons and the elderly, while others are unable to walk the long distances often required in modern airports, said the EU executive body.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com
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