The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that more support for disabled travellers

is needed at airports – as well as improvements to the provision and accessibility of information by travel companies to make it easier for disabled passengers to pre-book any assistance they need.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the CAA was reviewing how well European Union laws introduced in 2008 had been implemented. The laws made it the responsibility of airports to provide assistance to disabled travellers and all passengers with ‘reduced mobility’

The CAA said that more routes for people with guide or assistance dogs needed to be made available, with improved signs and information at airports.

Airport staff should also improve their awareness of disability, as required under EU law, and the sort of assistance people with disabilities might require, as well as the range of disabilities travellers might have.

Chief executive of the CAA, Andrew Haines, said:

‘The findings of this review are being used to influence the next steps we will take to ensure that, no matter which airport or airline someone uses – and no matter how their mobility is impaired – they are treated equally.’

The CAA review follows research carried out in February by the UK-based charity for disabled travellers, Tourism for All, which suggested travel companies were failing to provide for the needs of those with disabilities.

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