Airport security: opening up the skies to all

Airport security: opening up the skies to all. Year on year the exciting world of air travel is opening up to people of all abilities. And it is only right that it does. Not only do travellers with physical, sensory and learning disabilities deserve equality, but aviation, leisure, and tourism industries will benefit from better servicing their needs.

New legislation supporting the rights of disabled travellers Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006, now defines the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. Since 26 July, the new Air Regulations came into operation at all airports throughout Europe.

Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the same right as all other citizens to free movement, freedom of choice and non-discrimination. This applies to air travel as to other areas of life. Disabled persons should therefore be accepted for carriage and not refused transport on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility, except for reasons which are justified on the grounds of safety and prescribed by law.

In order to give disabled persons opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens, assistance to meet their particular needs should be provided at the airport as well as on board aircraft, by employing the necessary staff and equipment.

In the interests of social inclusion, the persons concerned should receive this assistance without additional charge. Assistance given at airports situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies should enable disabled persons to proceed from a designated point of arrival at an airport to an aircraft and from the aircraft to a designated point of departure from the airport, including embarking and disembarking.

These points should be designated at least at the main entrances to terminal buildings, in areas with check-in counters, in train, light rail, metro and bus stations, at taxi ranks and other drop-off points, and in airport car parks. The assistance should be organised so as to avoid interruption and delay, while ensuring high and equivalent standards throughout the Community and making best use of resources, whatever airport or air carrier is involved.

In deciding on the design of new airports and terminals, and as part of major refurbishments, managing bodies of airports should, where possible, take into account the needs of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility. Similarly, air carriers should, where possible, take such needs into account when deciding on the design of new and newly refurbished aircraft.

Air carriers and airport managing bodies shall ensure that all their personnel, including those employed by any sub-contractor, providing direct assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have knowledge of how to meet the needs of persons having various disabilities or mobility impairments.