The UK’s air travel industry is under scrutiny for the way it deals with travellers with disabilities.
Following the publication of the Access to Air Travel for Disabled People Code of Practice in March 2003, the Department for Transport (DFT) wants to find out how well the industry is measuring up.
The result is an investigation by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) a Berkshire-based specialist research company, which has been commissioned to conduct a two-year review of accessibility to air, travel.
TRL’s project manager Lorna Pearce said: “We are looking at a wide range of disabilities, including people who are wheelchair-bound, those with visual and hearing impairments and people with learning difficulties.
“We are also taking into consideration people who would not be called traditionally disabled – for example, people who have difficulty walking 500 metres. These could include some elderly people who would not class themselves as disabled but who could need assistance in airports or on aircraft.”
TRL will be addressing travel agents, tour operators, airlines and airports in its investigation as well as talking to travellers with disabilities about their experiences.
“We are looking at the whole travel experience – from the booking process to facilities at airports and on aircraft and the way people are dealt with throughout the entire travel process,” said Pearce.
The DFT’s code of practice is a lengthy document covering more than 70 pages and represents best practice. The TRL project aims to see how well or poorly the UK industry measures up.
The review will be undertaken in two stages – a benchmarking exercise which should be finished by summer 2004 and will give a snapshot of where the industry stands now, and another review 18 months later to see what improvements, if any, are made.