Rights on Flights Ltd
Rights on Flights
Best Campaign
Globally in 2022, 7 billion passengers (est) took to the sky, of which 7m passengers travelled with a wheelchair.
Research across the UK and US suggests on average 65% of people who have travelled in their lifetime with a wheelchair, have experienced their wheelchair being lost or damaged. Recent data from US carriers suggests only 1-2% of mobility aids were damaged or lost in 2022 – which equates to 25-30 wheelchairs a day in the US.
Across Europe, air carriers are not required to track and provide such data. After another terrible experience travelling with BA, Sophie Morgan took to the media to say enough is enough. Passengers who require support must no longer be treated as second class citizens, air travel is a fundamental human right.
After realising the true scale of bad experiences that wheelchair users have been, and continue to experience globally, it was time for Rights on Flights (RoF) to be born to ensure an equitable air travel experience for all. RoF recognises it’s not just wheelchair users that need more protections. For example, the need for service animal relief areas within airports, installation of sensory rooms, and changing places.
Security is also a significant area for those who (but not limited to) have pace-makers, a stoma bag or even a wig for example. A most recent win for RoF, was getting the UK government to commit (when parliamentary time allows) to enhancing the regulators powers to enforce fines on actors who fail to adequately serve passengers requiring support.
Sophie recently visited the White House, meeting with the Secretary of the Department of Transport, who announced airlines must include accessible lavatories on single aisle aircraft within the next 10 years. More news is expected later this year to make it mandatory for a space onboard for someone to remain in their wheelchair – visit the Air4All.net system.
Long term, RoF is calling for greater alignment of international regulations, training, infrastructure (of airports and aircraft), technology and equipment. To ensure freedom of movement and consistency of support provided by the industry is harmonised around the world.
“2023 will go down as a history defining year for accessible air travel. RoF is at the heart of ensuring the disability community get the right changes that make air travel equitable for all. Join us by raising awareness across social media of good and bad experiences of air travel #RoF. Thanks DP100 for recognising such an important campaign.”
Disability Power 100 2023 profile information has been self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.
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