The BBC's Frank Gardner was left on a plane after everyone else had disembarked while he waited for his wheelchair
Ben Furner experienced the same thing just weeks earlier at a different British airport. He was left on a plane while someone went in search of his mobility scooter. In the end, when the new crew boarded the plane to prepare for the next flight and found Ben still sitting there, the captain intervened and arranged for his scooter to be retrieved.
The UK government recommends passengers request assistance through their airline, tour operator or travel agent at least 48 hours before travel Heathrow Airport says it wants all passengers to have a "seamless journey" and it was "disappointed" for Frank. "We apologise for this," it said, citing Covid-19 and the subsequent impact as the reason.
The results of the consultation were due to be released in 2019 with a focus on helping the industry thrive post-Brexit, improve its impact on the environment and improve access with the introductory report admitting "there is more work to do".According to the document, more than 3 million requests were made for special assistance in the UK in 2017, a figure which is only "increasing".
The Department for Transport has admitted that due to "unprecedented challenges" related the the pandemic, a formal response to the Aviation 2050 consultation has not been published.
I try to avoid flying whenever possible because of poor disabled service but in my experience Heathrow airport is the worst airport I have ever used. Don't bother writinreply.g a letter of complaint, you never get a
Do they have wheel-chair bound pilots flying passenger carrying planes ? 🤔 If not, why ?
Ignorance at its worst… sorry on behalf of all that should be sorry 🙏🏽❤️
We once flew to Turkey and my daughter who was about 12 at the time and a FT wheelchair user was left stranded. We expected the chair as usual to arrive at the plane doors but was told its 'gone with the luggage to the belt' so I had to carry her all the way through security
This is not an isolated case as he says. Transportation on planes with individuals with special needs is almost a low priority for air carriers. And most of the time the airline authorities place unreasonable regulations on planes, at the detriment of special needs.
Sadly it’s been going on for many many years. I saw it so often during my 30 years as cabin crew. It’s disgraceful in this day and age.
They should disembark first.
This happened to my mum this week outbound and inbound from Manchester to Turkey with Tui - it’s completely unacceptable .
Shameful treatment. At least you have the profile to raise it as a major issue. The average wheelchair user doesn't have the platform, and many incidences simply go unnoticed and unreported.
It’s about time the CAA made the airline responsible, if after 30 minutes they don’t assist the passenger then the airline pays back the ticket cost.
HeathrowAirport 4 times in 4 years Frank Gardner says 🤔🤔 Covid ehe? - or just poor management I wonder.....
Terrible for you and shameful of airline staff too
I'm shocked the original crew left the aircraft with a passenger on board. I've seen this poor treatment by UK airports many many times as a member of the flight crew. I've sourced the wheelchair and taken the stranded passenger(s) to security in the small hours due no staff.
The company can't recruit. Low wages for long hours and unfortunate abuse. Frustrating I know but those that are working aren't the problem.
If they have a staff shortage because of Covid effects then surely the staff available should be prioritised to help disabled passengers. The rest of the plane are able to look after themselves! Is it not that easy?
Hope it’s the last time. Really sad and disgraceful.
Because he's white?
Will he be on strictly?
How long are we have Covid as a reason? In fact, it’s become an excuse. They know how many passengers are due to fly and how many require assistance so the resources must be preplanned My other gripe is the use of ‘colleague’. A boss/spokesperson using it is just patronising
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