Marie-Patricia Hoarau, a wheelchair user, was ejected from an EasyJet flight from Paris to Nice in France because she did not have somebody travelling with her.
EasyJet allegedly citing so called European regulations has said that they ejected her because of European regulations. Say what?? They had let her fly before with no issues. All major airlines we know let wheelchair passengers fly unaccompanied in Europe (we know because Sibaya is associated with clients that have done, or do, make hundreds of thousands of wheelchairs). In fact, come to think of it, we worked with a wheelchair driver – and senior company executive – who took at least 4 unaccompanied flights around Europe this week.
Aha!! Was it the emergency exit caveat? No, does not look like it.
We look forward to hearing the real reason, which will no doubt be forthcoming after the spin doctors have had a go at it.
The business case:
So any airlines reading this – there is a big business opportunity for you – the ageing population demographic will require more and more wheelchairs as they get older, and they will travel more and more to go and see the grand children. You better make travel for them easy, before your competitors do.
Make sure to click on the following link to see the video and read the complete story.
France24 – Woman in wheelchair is ejected from EasyJet flight.
Update:
Here are the policies of Easyjet regarding passengers with special needs:
Specifically this policy states:
IF YOU ARE INTENDING TO TRAVEL UNACCOMPANIED
Current legislation states that an airline can refuse to take a reservation from or to carry any person, if the safety and welfare of that person or other passengers may be compromised. If you are intending to travel unaccompanied you must meet the following criteria, otherwise someone must accompany you who can look after your needs. This is to ensure that your safety, welfare and needs can be met during your journey.
You must be self-reliant in emergency and evacuation situations. In reality, this means that you should be able to undo your own seatbelt, put on your own oxygen mask, lifejacket and make your own way to your nearest emergency exit unaided. This is because our cabin crew will not be able to concentrate their efforts on individual passengers in emergency situations.
You must be able to understand and react positively to instruction from our staff.
You must be able to take care of your own potential personal needs and welfare during your journey.
It is pretty clear that all airlines and / or airline crews are not equal when interpreting the European guidelines.
