| A wheelchair-user has been banned from using an airline because she is disabled.
Kim Swift, 50, was left stunned when Monarch Airlines told her she was not allowed on board unless she flies with a carer.
Despite using the firm regularly and already paying for the flight, she was informed she must pay £250 for an extra ticket.
Monarch claims it is only following new rules from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
But Mrs Swift blasted: "It's discrimination. Monarch has decided all wheelchair users need a carer. The way I've been treated is appalling. I've been in touch with the Commission and they tell me I'm good to fly alone."
Unemployed Mrs Swift, of Ruislip, Middlesex, was hit with the bombshell when she called to arrange a specific seat for a flight from Luton to Faro in Portugal. She had never had a problem on Monarch on three previous times.
She said: "I'm now worried that I'm going to miss out on visiting my friends on holiday."
Monarch said the new legislation states wheelchair-users must be accompanied on flights when they are "unable to fasten their seatbelt, leave their seat and reach an emergency exit unaided".
It said: "The level of assistance Mrs Swift is requesting would indicate she is unable to fulfil the above criteria. In light of this she was advised that she would be required to travel with a carer."
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from http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/09/10/fury-after-monarch-airlines-bans-disabled-woman-115875-20730762/
Views: 1043
Written by Posh, on 03-10-2008 07:18
Chuck the DDA at 'em!
Especially as the company haven't refused her before! |
Written by grahamh49, on 05-10-2008 20:20
If that's how their lawyers interpret the rules, they'd be daft to ignore them. However, if the UK DDA provisions conflict with the new rules, then it's for the legislators to fight it out. Contact your MP. |
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