Article from BTNews 15 JULY 2019
CAA warning over disabled passengers
Airports have been warned they will need to step up the way they look after disabled passengers thanks to new stricter targets from the CAA. The warning comes in the authority’s fourth annual report on disability access.
The study reveals a record 3.7m requests for assistance in the year to 31 March – a rise of more than 80% since 2010 – with 14 airports including Aberdeen, Belfast City, Cornwall Newquay, Doncaster Sheffield and Edinburgh rated ‘very good’ and a further 16 rated ‘good’.
Four classified last year as ‘very good’ received ‘good’ ratings this year, while Manchester Airport was classified as ‘needing improvement’, although this was an improved rating from ‘poor’ in the previous two years.
CAA consumers and markets director Paul Smith said: “These results show significant improvements to the experience many disabled passengers faced before our reporting began. We hope this will help them to feel confident and empowered to travel from UK airports.
“While it is good to see the improvements, airports will need to continue to work hard so they can meet the more demanding performance standards we have now introduced. Where we see examples of bad practice, we will hold airports to account and take the necessary action.”
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