Going by air: Sources of information

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The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), has published "Access to air travel; Guidance for disabled and less mobile passengers". This guide follows a step by step journey through planning your flight, to getting to the airport, boarding and leaving the plane.

It can be downloaded from our website (www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/aviation/access/index.htm) or by post from the DPTAC Secretariat. A summary of the main points to consider is also available as a small leaflet.

It follows a step by step journey through planning your flight to getting to the airport, boarding and leaving the plane. It explains why airports and airlines need information about disabled passengers and also what you can expect them to provide to make your journey easier.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published "Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility - Code of Practice" which can be downloaded from the DfT website at www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/aviationshipping/accesstoairtravelfordisabled.pdf (Adobe Acrobat). The Code was developed with disabled people and all the organisations involved in a journey by air. It was updated in July 2008, to take into account the new European regulations on air travel as well as, where they apply, the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. It also reflects the results of monitoring compliance with the Code since it was first produced.

The Code gives guidance to the UK air travel industry on how it can meet its legal obligations and sets out the good practice needed to make sure disabled people and people with reduced mobility enjoy a consistent and seamless level of service when travelling by air. The Code covers the whole journey, from accessing information at the booking stage through to arriving at the final destination.

At present, it is a voluntary code for UK companies only, but it is hoped that it will be adopted by international airlines operating into UK airports and at international airports. The Code will continue to be monitored by the industry, disability organisations and the government.

It is important to remember that not all services and facilities will be available straight away at every airport and on every plane. If you need a particular service or facility, always check that it is available before booking.

Air travel in the European Community

European legislation now offers new protection for disabled air travellers. From 26 July 2008, a new European regulation on air travel means that airports have to provide services that enable disabled passengers to board, disembark and transit between flights. The rights also apply to people with reduced mobility, such as someone with a broken leg, and give a right to assistance once on the plane.

This is the second stage of measures designed to protect disabled passengers when travelling by air and creating a consistent standard across Europe. Since July 2007 it has been illegal for airlines, travel agents or tour operators to refuse a booking on the grounds of disability or to refuse to board a disabled person who has a valid ticket and reservation, except for safety reasons. The DfT has produced Factsheet for Passengers (EC) No.1107/2006 to explain these measures, available at: www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2007/consulcivilaviationreg07/newrightfactsheetec.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - www.equalityhumanrights.com/airtravel - has a responsibility to promote the new regulation to the public and any person who feels that there has been a breach of the law has the right to complain to them. The Commission will handle and monitor complaints and offer conciliation where appropriate. It can support people to take civil action and could refer the matter to the Civil Aviation Authority who will have the power to prosecute. If guilty an airport operator, airline, travel agent or tour operator could face an unlimited fine. However, if you do have a complaint, you should follow the procedure advised under 'Complaining effectively' in the section 'If things go wrong'.

In order to help you understand better what your rights are and what you can do to ensure your journey runs smoothly from start to finish, the EHRC has also published "Your Rights to Fly - What You Need to Know", a step by step guide for disabled and less mobile passengers which can be downloaded at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publicationsandresources/pages/publications.aspx.

The Air Transport Users Council produces a series of information sheets dealing with different aspects of air travel. They can be downloaded from the 'Air Travel Advice' section of their website. More information about the Air Transport Users Council can be found at: www.auc.org.uk.

The British Lung Foundation publish "Air Travel with a Lung Condition" and "Going on Holiday with a Lung Condition" - both can be found at: www.lunguk.org.