The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has welcomed the measures taken by the EU to ensure the rights of passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility when travelling by air. The new regulation, the first phase of which comes into force in July 2007, ensures that passengers cannot be denied the right to book a flight or board an aircraft on the grounds of disability or reduced mobility.

Des Kenny, CEO of NCBI, noted that the entire regulation will not be rolled out until July 2008. “Safety on aircraft is paramount but for too long now, airlines and airports have used it as an excuse not to carry people with disabilities. Both airlines and airports have been passing the buck when it comes to taking responsibility for providing assistance to people with disabilities and NCBI welcomes the introduction of a regulation which ensures that all those involved in air travel know where their responsibilities lie,” said Mr Kenny.

Articles 3 and 4 of the regulation, which cover the prevention of refusal to accept a booking or board a flight will come into force next year. By July 2008, the regulation will be rolled out in its entirety, ensuring that people with disabilities have access to information and assistance at airports.

Air carriers will still be obliged to meet safety requirements, which will be made available to passengers in accessible formats. If a person with reduced mobility is refused booking or boarding on these grounds, they shall be informed of the reasons and will be offered reimbursement or re-routing.

“Assistance at airports has always been narrowly interpreted and it is often thought that the provision of a wheelchair fulfils any obligation to increase accessibility. While people with vision impairments may need assistance at airports, they do not necessarily have reduced mobility. Thankfully, this regulation ensures that it will be the responsibility of the airport’s managing body to ensure that people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility have access to the assistance they require in order to make their flight, once notification of assistance has been received 48 hours in advance and that people with disabilities shall not be financially penalised for these provisions,” stated Mr Kenny. The definition of assistance covers the provision of wheelchairs but also looks at guidance and the communication of information.

The text will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union at the end of July and the regulation will enter into force twenty days later. However, the transition period for the full implementation means that the regulation will not be fully rolled out until July 2008.

For more information contact Fionnuala Murphy on 01 8821975.

Notes to editors:

1. National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a not for profit charitable organisation which offers support and services nationwide to those experiencing difficulties with their eyesight.

2. 2006 is NCBI's 75th anniversary year, having been established in 1931 to promote the physical, economic and social independence of people living with vision impairments.

3. The EU Regulation on the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air was proposed by the European Commission in February 2005 and was adopted in December 2005. It is the first disability-specific piece of legislation in the EU.

4. Air carriers, agents or tour operators shall not refuse, on the grounds of disability or reduced mobility, to accept a reservation or to embark a disabled person or person with reduced mobility.

5. Air carriers may also require that a person with a disability is accompanied by another person who can provide any assistance that is needed.

6. People with disabilities have the right to receive the assistance they need in order to use air transport. This assistance will be provided free of charge and will be the responsibility of the managing body of the airport.

7. Provisions must be made so that disabled people or people with reduced mobility can announce their arrival and need for assistance at points of arrival and departure, both inside and outside terminal buildings.