Menu
A+ A A-

Another Example Showing Why EU Regulation 1107/2006 Does Not Work

  • Written by Roberto Castiglioni

There goes another tragic example why EU Regulation 1107/2006 needs to be changed with haste. I just came across the news, and I'm having a hard time controlling my anger. David McCann at the Scotsman.com reports of an incident occurred at the end of August at Edinburgh Airport affecting six disabled passengers who were left stranded by EasyJet.

 

Long story short, the six unfortunate travelers reached the gate for their flight to Belfast, and there waited for assistance to board the aircraft. All passengers minus the six disabled people were allowed to board the flight. After completing regular boarding procedures, an employee manning the gate informed the six unfortunate passengers that their luggage had been off-loaded and the flight had left.

 

The six immediately complained. Easyjet explained that responsibility for assistance on the ground falls under the airport managing body who failed to deliver needed services at the time of boarding.

 

"Edinburgh Airport is very disappointed at the treatment of these passengers," An Edinburgh Airport official told Scotsman.com. "We are conducting a full and urgent investigation with the organisations responsible to understand better what happened and to ensure it does not happen again."

 

BAA is the managing body at Edimburgh. BAA also manages London Heathrow, the busiest airport in the U.K.

 

What can we say? I have been repeating to sickness that the separation of roles and responsibility concerning assistance to disabled passengers creates a legal vacuum allowing culprits to get away with their misdeeds. 

 

Easyjet actions are deplorable. They supposedly did nothing to seek airport assistance services while being lighting fast at off-loading the passengers' luggage. Easyjet's role is only partially mitigated by the fact that they made hotel accommodations available to the group of hapless travelers.

 

BAA's actions, or lack thereof, is inhumane and discriminatory. HOW DARE THEY ABANDON 6 DISABLED PASSENGERS AND HOPE TO GET AWAY WITH AN APOLOGY?

 

I urge the victims of this appalling case of discrimination to immediately appoint a solicitor and lodge a complaint against BAA for breach of the Equality Act 2010, c. 15, Part 2, Chapter 2, Discrimination, Section 15.

 

Enough is enough. In the United States those responsible for such crimes get heavily fined to begin with. Time to hold violators accountable. While we all wait on The U.K. Department of Transport to wake up from their idleness and change enforcement powers to a civil procedure to authorize the imposition of fines, victims can follow the Dirscrimination route.

 

Notes and References: 

 

The content of this page shall not be treated, seen or considered as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact a solicitor. 

 

Scotsman.com Article (opens a new window)

 

Testimonials

"I contacted Reduced Mobility with not a lot of expectation of being "heard" but they not only heard, they responded, took action and resolved my problem of airport mobility."

Christine Lester

Company Info

 
Reduced Mobility Rights Limited
Registered in England and Wales.
Company No : 07748812
9 Dalton House, 60 Windsor Avenue, London
United Kingdom, SW19 2RR
Phone: +44.(0)7786.993741
 

 

Newsletter

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to create the best website experience for our readers. By continuing to use our site, you agree to the placement of cookies on your device. Please read our cookie policy to learn more about cookies and learn how to disable them.