European airlines want the right to opt out of a planned centralised service to help disabled passengers get through airports and onto an aircraft.
The new service has been proposed by the European Commission following a British court case which saw Ryanair fined for charging a disabled passenger for the use of a wheelchair.
Now the commission wants airports to take over responsibility for assisting passengers with mobility problems or other disabilities from their arrival at the airport to the door of the plane.
This service would be financed by an extra fee to be paid by the airlines.
But major European carriers want the right to opt out of the scheme at airports where they already offer their own assistance schemes.
The Association of European Airlines (AEA), which counts all Europe’s leading airlines among its members, says a company such as British Airways would be happy to take part in a centralised system at airports where it carried only a few disabled passengers a day, but not at Heathrow where it could be required to cater for the needs of 300 or 400 passengers with special needs.
“They’ve invested in special facilities and staff training and it’s part of their brand to offer a premium service,” said an AEA spokesman. “The see the service they provide as an incentive for potential passengers to choose their flights.”
British Airways says it carries 400,000 people with various disabilities every year and employs the services of a specialist handling company at Heathrow to look after passengers with special needs.
“This company works to our directives and we have control over the quality of service it provides,” said a British Airways spokesman.
Richard Howitt, a Labour MEP and president of the European Parliament’s disability rights group, said low-cost airlines like Ryanair needed the force of law to ensure that a decent service for disabled passengers was provided free.
He added that he was disappointed that the big name airlines were seeking to undermine the proposals through an opt-out.
BAA plc, which operates major airports in UK supported the plan for a centralised handling system.
“We are concerned to make sure that there is a seamless service for disabled passengers – without any opt outs,” said a BAA spokesman.
The European Commission proposal has gone forward into the rule making process and is being considered by the European Parliament.