MEPs have today adopted new EU rules which will improve the rights of disabled people and those with reduced mobility when travelling by air.
The amendments adopted today in the European Parliament will ensure:
Robert Evans MEP (Labour, London) led this week's debate in the European Parliament and negotiated on Parliament's behalf with the Council of Ministers.
The near unanimous vote in the European Parliament follows informal negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on a text agreeable to both institutions. This means the Regulation should be formally adopted before the end of the year - most aspects will come into effect at the beginning of 2008; however, the clauses on information to passengers and banning refusal of carriage to disabled people will come into effect after 12 months.
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Derek Twigg (UK Transport Minister - for the Council Presidency): This regulation, on the rights of disabled people and those with reduced mobility when travelling by air, will make a real improvement to the lives of those members of our Community. It is a fine example of how, when a legislative proposal offers real and tangible benefits to the citizens of the Community, the institutions can collaborate effectively to ensure that these benefits are delivered in the shortest possible time.
For the first time, this regulation sets out in clear terms what assistance disabled persons and those with reduced mobility are legally entitled to expect from airports and airlines and under what conditions.
Robert Evans MEP (Labour, London): Too many people – the elderly or those with disabilities – complain of being neglected or, worse still, maltreated at Europe’s airports. Fundamental rights for disabled passengers when travelling by air ought to be something we take for granted. However, the reality can be very different. One example is Ryanair and the insulting manner in which it treats disabled passengers. It is probably the best-publicised culprit, but there are plenty of others and not just the low-cost carriers.
During its passage through the European Parliament I have also been pleased to be able to present other improvements. Most importantly, ensuring that the proposal is for a seamless service for passengers, from any point of arrival at any of the airports in the European Union, to destinations – including transfers, which are often the most traumatic experiences for people.
At my suggestion, the committee also amended the Commission text to give airports the overall responsibility for ensuring an efficient and effective service with, as Mr Twigg again mentioned, the ability to contract it out if they so wish.
I am also very pleased to be able to amend the proposal to allow guide dogs or service dogs on long-haul flights, because I am advised that the owners of those dogs are in the best position to judge how long a flight the animal can cope with.
The aim is to ensure that people with reduced mobility and disabled passengers enjoy the same rights when travelling by air as you or I, without incurring any additional costs – the costs being spread across every passenger handled by the air carrier and included in the price of the ticket.
Airline statistics suggest that up to ten million passengers in this category are assisted at Europe’s airports every year. Therefore, it is essential that the guidelines are clear and agreed at European level. It would be pointless if one or a few of the 25 EU Member States had good legislation and the others had poor legislation or none at all.
Full text of the debate (Tuesday 13 December 2005) in the speakers' original language:
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Europarl's Press Service - summary of the outcome:
Report by Robert Evans MEP (A6-0317/2005):
http://www.europarl.eu.int/omk/sipade3?PROG=REPORT&SORT_ORDER=D&REF_A=A6-2005-0317&L=EN
Text adopted by Parliament (Thursday 15 December 2005) will shortly be available from this page: http://www.europarl.eu.int/activities/expert/ta/calendar.do?language=EN
Legislative Observatory:
Legislation in force (Transport):
UK MEP's contact details and website:
Robert Evans MEP: http://www.europarl.org.uk/requetes/robertevans.asp
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