Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is heading a new government-backed taskforce to make air travel more accessible for disabled passengers, addressing longstanding issues from booking through to baggage claim. The Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, announced by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, will work with airlines, airports, and disability advocates to tackle critical challenges and set new standards.
“For too long, disabled passengers have not received the level of assistance and service they need,” said Haigh. The group’s mission is to ensure accessible air travel for all, addressing issues like poor assistance, lack of onboard facilities, and mishandling of wheelchairs. This issue was recently highlighted when BBC journalist Frank Gardner, who was paralyzed in an attack 20 years ago, had to crawl along a Polish Airlines LOT flight aisle to access the restroom. Unlike British Airways and EasyJet, LOT does not provide onboard aisle chairs, a situation Gardner called “shameful” and unacceptable for disabled passengers flying out of British airports.
The taskforce, which includes Rights on Flights co-founder Sophie Morgan, will meet later this month and report its findings to the Transport Secretary next year after a nine-month review. The Department for Transport emphasized that consumer experiences will be central to the review, with direct engagement from individuals who have encountered challenges flying with disabilities. The group aims to implement both short- and long-term solutions to eliminate these obstacles.
“This taskforce will run as a partnership between industry and consumers to target the biggest challenges facing disabled passengers,” the Department for Transport stated. The group’s agenda includes issues such as delayed or absent assistance for boarding and disembarking, damaged or mishandled wheelchairs, limited or no access to onboard toilets, and inadequate customer service. Representatives from Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, British Airways, and the travel association ABTA, along with London Stansted, East Midlands, Manchester, and Glasgow airports, will contribute to the group’s efforts. These organizations will collaborate to establish practical and enforceable standards, while the Civil Aviation Authority will be encouraged to enforce stricter accountability measures for those who fail to meet them.
“This is an essential milestone for disabled passengers’ rights,” said Morgan. “For far too long, disabled people have been let down by the industry, and it’s time for real change.” She emphasized the need for stronger regulations and authority to hold airlines accountable, expressing her hope that the taskforce will push for expanded powers to fine or penalize airlines that fail to meet standards. “There are enough horror stories to illustrate the urgency,” Morgan said.
Baroness Grey-Thompson, who herself faced difficulties when she was forced to “crawl off” a train at King’s Cross earlier this year due to a lack of assistance, echoed these sentiments. “We must ensure the rights and dignity of each passenger at every step of their journey,” she said. “Every passenger deserves to travel with respect.”
Louise Haigh praised the group’s leadership, saying it “sends a powerful message that change is in the air.” With experienced leaders like Grey-Thompson and Morgan, Haigh believes the taskforce will drive substantial improvements.
Fazilet Hadi, head of policy at Disability Rights UK, also welcomed the initiative but noted its success would hinge on “the concrete actions taken by the government and industry alike.” With this new taskforce, disabled passengers and advocates hope that flying will finally become a more inclusive experience, free from the barriers that have made travel an ordeal for so many.
