Category: Flights
Posted by: Richard Thompson
Gulf Air has launched special fares for physically disabled people to travel in economy class.
The move comes as a demonstration of the national carrier's social commitment to the people of Bahrain, the airline said in a statement.
"Physically-challenged people cannot be left alone to fight the adversities of life," said Gulf Air executive vice president of marketing and sales Lee Shave.
"This gesture reiterates the corporate responsibility of Gulf Air to support the Bahraini society, where it has been operating for over five and a half decades now."
Physically disabled people can avail Gulf Air special offer by producing a letter from the Social Development Ministry as a proof, said Gulf Air general manager Bahrain Abdulmalik Al Saei.
Tickets can be bought from any of the airline's ticketing offices in Bahrain.
"It is but natural for the national carrier to support the Bahraini society in every possible way it could," said Al Saei.
"These special fares for the physically challenged is a reflection of this commitment."
Related link: www.gulfair.com
The move comes as a demonstration of the national carrier's social commitment to the people of Bahrain, the airline said in a statement.
"Physically-challenged people cannot be left alone to fight the adversities of life," said Gulf Air executive vice president of marketing and sales Lee Shave.
"This gesture reiterates the corporate responsibility of Gulf Air to support the Bahraini society, where it has been operating for over five and a half decades now."
Physically disabled people can avail Gulf Air special offer by producing a letter from the Social Development Ministry as a proof, said Gulf Air general manager Bahrain Abdulmalik Al Saei.
Tickets can be bought from any of the airline's ticketing offices in Bahrain.
"It is but natural for the national carrier to support the Bahraini society in every possible way it could," said Al Saei.
"These special fares for the physically challenged is a reflection of this commitment."
Related link: www.gulfair.com
Category: Flights
Posted by: Richard Thompson
We've all seen and read about questionable treatment of disabled passengers and subsequent attempts by airlines, airports and service providers at justifying their actions in recent times. Well, recently agreed EU legislation is about to make practices clear for all to understand and comply with.
The regulation will prohibit refusal of booking or refusal of carriage to disabled persons because of their disability, prohibit direct charging for assistance, ensure the provision of high and comparable levels of assistance to meet the needs of people with disabilities, ensure that quality standards are set by airport managing bodies in conjunction with airport users’ committees’ require disability equality training for all staff dealing with the travelling public, establish a centralised charging system whereby the managing body of an airport will provide assistance free of charge to people with disabilities, oblige airlines to pay into the centralised system an amount proportionate to the number of passengers they carry (all passengers) and outline mechanisms for complaints, sanctions and enforcement.
There remains a clause leaving open the possibility of boarding being denied for “safety reasons”. If we are to avoid potential discrimination and the possibility of people with disabilities travelling to a destination and not being allowed travel back home because different rules apply to be defined, it will be important that this clause be fully justified and its definition be uniform across EU countries.
Positive developments though.
The regulation will prohibit refusal of booking or refusal of carriage to disabled persons because of their disability, prohibit direct charging for assistance, ensure the provision of high and comparable levels of assistance to meet the needs of people with disabilities, ensure that quality standards are set by airport managing bodies in conjunction with airport users’ committees’ require disability equality training for all staff dealing with the travelling public, establish a centralised charging system whereby the managing body of an airport will provide assistance free of charge to people with disabilities, oblige airlines to pay into the centralised system an amount proportionate to the number of passengers they carry (all passengers) and outline mechanisms for complaints, sanctions and enforcement.
There remains a clause leaving open the possibility of boarding being denied for “safety reasons”. If we are to avoid potential discrimination and the possibility of people with disabilities travelling to a destination and not being allowed travel back home because different rules apply to be defined, it will be important that this clause be fully justified and its definition be uniform across EU countries.
Positive developments though.
Category: Flights
Posted by: Richard Thompson
At long last, recognition has been paid for excellence in serving disabled travellers. OAG, a leading global leading travel industry body, introduced the award for the "Airline of Choice for Travellers with a Disability" at this years annual OAG Award, held on May 18th at London's Grosvenor House.
This is a new award for 2006. Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG commented:
"We have introduced this award in response to our customers. They have been asking for airlines to be recognised for putting themselves out to make travel as easy as possible for disabled people.
"Too often when travelling, those with a disability can find things more difficult than able-bodied passengers, which should not be the case. From the comments that came in via the survey it is clear how much people value the extra care and consideration that is shown by certain airlines. American Airlines is highly regarded for making disabled travellers feel comfortable and respected."
The OAG Airline of the Year Awards are based on votes polled from OAG's worldwide customer base of business travelers, and their votes are based on personal experience.
Full marks to OAG for creating the award and American Airlines for winning it. Now let's build on this promising start. There are numerous award ceremonies each year around the globe and creating a gong for services in the disability travel arena will send out a strong message about the importance of the market and establish best practice - something which is desperately needed!
This is a new award for 2006. Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG commented:
"We have introduced this award in response to our customers. They have been asking for airlines to be recognised for putting themselves out to make travel as easy as possible for disabled people.
"Too often when travelling, those with a disability can find things more difficult than able-bodied passengers, which should not be the case. From the comments that came in via the survey it is clear how much people value the extra care and consideration that is shown by certain airlines. American Airlines is highly regarded for making disabled travellers feel comfortable and respected."
The OAG Airline of the Year Awards are based on votes polled from OAG's worldwide customer base of business travelers, and their votes are based on personal experience.
Full marks to OAG for creating the award and American Airlines for winning it. Now let's build on this promising start. There are numerous award ceremonies each year around the globe and creating a gong for services in the disability travel arena will send out a strong message about the importance of the market and establish best practice - something which is desperately needed!
Category: Flights
Posted by: Richard Thompson
An excellent question Mark, but one that doesn't have a straight answer!
Rules and regulations differ from airline to airline, so contact them in advance of booking to make sure your chair will be carried without additional charges. Our 'Flights' section directs you to rules and procedures of a number of airlines, so that is definitely worth checking out!
Rules and regulations differ from airline to airline, so contact them in advance of booking to make sure your chair will be carried without additional charges. Our 'Flights' section directs you to rules and procedures of a number of airlines, so that is definitely worth checking out!
