The European Commission has pledged to protect the rights of disabled people travelling by air in Europe.
A draft regulation is now being considered Council of Ministers and European Parliament aimed at prohibiting airlines from denying reservation or boarding to people because of their disability or age.
It also guarantees those people the right to receive assistance free of charge in airports and on board aircraft.
“Europe is strengthening citizen’s rights,” said Jacues Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission responsible for transport.
“The commission is proposing an important social measure which will enable the elderly and people with reduced mobility to travel in Europe under the best possible conditions.”
Under the terms of the proposed new regulation, member states will be obliged to lay down penalties and set up independent bodies to deal with complaints.
It is proposed that airports will bear the responsibility for providing wheelchair or other assistance to passengers moving through their airports to board their flights.
This service is to be funded by a new fee charged to airlines.