Eventually, after Martin made a formal complaint, PNG Air management apologised, saying the incident had been caused by a “misunderstanding”. Sadly, misunderstandings of this nature seem to be growing in frequency with airlines and airports across the world. Recently published statistics show that disability related complaints are on the rise in the US. Unfortunately, Europe seems to lack the statistical tools to gather similar data, relating to the incidence of complaints lodged by disabled flyers.
The rise of complaints in the US, a country with stringent disability laws in place, suggests that a strong legal framework alone is insufficient to guarantee safe and dignified air travel to disabled people. The member of staff assisting Martin Kawage buying his ticket dismissed him as nuisance after learning he was blind, without checking to see if he was entitled to fly solo.
European law makes airport assistance for disabled people cost-neutral. This is perhaps the key element that lawmakers in other parts of the world should consider when drafting or re-writing anti-discrimination legislation.
Like it or not, the air travel industry must come to terms with ever increasing number of people flying with disabilities.
Hopefully, as 2016 progresses, airports and airlines across the world will make access to air travel more inclusive, and aim to exceed mere compliance with disability laws. After all, people with physical or sensory impairments are passengers with the same spending power as all other passengers.
