Access to aviation
Access to aviation is governed by international laws and standards. Since 2007, European Regulation 1107/2006, which concerns the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, has given rights to disabled people when travelling by air. This ensures a consistent and seamless service from airlines and airports across Europe. EC Regulation 1107/2006 is enforced in UK law through the Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons with Reduced Mobility) Regulations 2007.
The Equality Act 2010 includes provisions to protect disabled people from discrimination when accessing services. These provisions replicate and replace those originally contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005. These particular provisions apply to travel by air in relation to the use of booking services and airport facilities and services. However, they do not apply to the actual means of transport – the aircraft. So, for example, shops and check-in facilities in the airport are covered by the Act, but on-board services or entertainment are not.
