Brussels, 13/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The report by the British Labour MEP Robert Evans on the proposed regulation on the rights of persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air was adopted by the Parliamentary committee on transport on 11 October, shortly after the general approach from the Transport Council of 6 October. Through their vote, the MEPs bring some new elements to the table, while still affirming the broad outline of the Council position. MEPs in particular agreed with the fact that assistance should be given from the moment of arrival at the airport to departure, including in emergency situations, by the managing body of the airport and without additional cost to the beneficiaries. They also emphasised the fact that infrastructures, training of personnel and the information sent out should be adapted to the specific needs of the persons concerned (forms in Braille, for example). They also requested that the Commission take account of the recommendations already drawn up in the code of the European Civil Aviation Conference (CEAC) when preparing an EU code of good practice. The vote in plenary is due to take place in November.
This vote was warmly welcomed by the President of the European Disability Forum (EDF), Yannis Vardakastanis, who saw the European Parliament position as “clear recognition of the fact that disabled people have the same rights to free movement and freedom of choice and should not be discriminated against”. The EDF particularly appreciated the fact that the time spent in the cabin by guide dogs should be left up to their masters. The EDF did, however, regret the fact that MEPs, like the Council, accepted that airlines have a right to refuse to make a reservation or have board a person with reduced mobility on the grounds of security demands in place under national legislation (even with the possibility of reimbursement of all costs or of reserving a seat on a different flight which could be boarded).