A court case in Britain is being brought against Ryanair over charging a traveller suffering cerebral palsy and arthritis €18 for the use of a wheelchair.
The case, which is also being brought against airport operator British Aviation Authority (BAA), follows a complaint by Mr Bob Ross who travels frequently with Ryanair from Stansted airport in Essex to Perpignan in France.
"This is not only morally unjustifiable but we believe it contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act," said Mr Bert Massie, chairman of the British government-funded statutory body the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).
The DRC has written to Ryanair and BAA giving them 14 days notice of legal action. The commission said the notice followed unsuccessful talks. The legal action will be made in the Central London County Court, seeking the removal of the €18 charge and unspecified damages.
Mr Ross, from Islington, north London, is unable to stand for very long and needs to use a wheelchair when moving through the crowds and queues at Stansted.
He said: "Unlike other airlines, I get charged €18 each way by Ryanair for the right to access the airport's wheelchairs. Given the painful arthritis, I simply must have a wheelchair at the airport.
"But every time I have taken a return flight with Ryanair from Stansted, it has cost me €36 more than other passengers. It is unfair and discriminatory to charge disabled people more to travel".
A Ryanair spokesman said today: "In order to qualify for assistance, the passenger must be travelling in his or her own wheelchair. Passengers requesting assistance, who do not have their own wheelchair, will be directed to the wheelchair service provider at the relevant airport.
"These companies will offer specialised assistance for a nominal fee which is payable directly by the passenger to the handling company".
PA