Disabled passenger sues over air travel discrimination

Some disabled travellers in Guernsey have said they have been discriminated against when travelling with Aurigny airlines from the island’s airport.

Wheelchair user Steven Wall said he was told his wheelchair would be too large to travel on the airline’s ATR aircraft in 2023.

Christine Le Prevost, who has lost a leg, said she was treated differently to other tourists and felt embarrassed “in this day and age”.

A spokesman for Aurigny said the airline was working closely with the airport to provide “the necessary assistance” to passengers and “remains committed to offering this assistance to all customers who request it in advance.” The BBC has contacted the Port of Guernsey, which runs the airport, for comment.

He said the difficulties he experienced were: [him] There was a trend in Guernsey to “stop flying” but Guernsey needed an airline that “knew what to do”.

“As taxpayers, we’ve been subsidizing this airline for many years,” Wall said.

“They’re all talking about special routes and lifelong routes, but in normal aviation, they wouldn’t last five minutes.

“Hopefully they’ve worked it out, but I doubt it.”

Le Prevost said he always told airport staff he was an amputee, even though they could see it, because he knew the metal in his knees and prosthetic limbs would set off alarms.

She said she was treated differently from other travellers, taken to a “separate room”, where her prosthesis was wiped down and inspected and she was asked to remove her shoes.

“I often have to ask for a chair because I have trouble walking without shoes. My prosthetic limbs are set up to be worn with shoes on,” Le Prevost said.

She said staff were generally understanding, but felt embarrassed “in these times.”

Le Prevost said that as president of a local disability sports organisation, he regularly travelled to disability sport events.

He said the group had “no major issues” travelling on the island’s ferry company Condor, but some people had “great anxiety” getting on a plane.

Le Prevost said some staff have been “absolutely fantastic” while “others have no idea what’s going on. It’s a mixed bag.”

She said: “Today, people are more aware of disabilities and things are getting better for everyone – so things are improving.”

Peter Lee, who runs a taxi service for the disabled, said some customers had had unpleasant experiences on journeys to and from Guernsey because of inadequate equipment to assist passengers.

He said life for a disabled person travelling alone was “extremely difficult”.

“It should be simple. Life shouldn’t stop just because you’re in a wheelchair,” Lee said.

“Guernsey is a single carrier so the support will be unparalleled.”

Guernsey introduced new legislation in 2023 that will ban many forms of discrimination, including discrimination against people with disabilities.

Businesses must make “reasonable adjustments” to allow disabled people to access their goods and services.

But the law gives companies until 2028 to change their physical features.

Aurigny said in a statement that it recently ordered two height-adjustable remote boarding ramps to “improve customer support.”

The company said it had also invested in ramps at Southampton and Gatwick airports.

“Staff are trained to assist customers with mobility issues and invisible disabilities and continue to further develop their knowledge and skills,” the spokesman said.

The airline added that in May it had helped 427 passengers with disabilities board and disembark.

“The airline remains committed to providing this support to all customers who request it in advance.

“If you require special assistance on your flight to Aurigny, please contact our reservations team at least 72 hours before departure.”