News
SIA welcomes announcement of safeguards to support disabled air passengers
Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of stronger safeguards for disabled air passengers, and better training for airline staff.
The accessibility improvements come from the Aviation Accessibility Implementation Group, chaired by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, following the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group which SIA helped establish.
The changes include standardised forms for passengers to submit wheelchair handling and battery information, trialling a new digital platform to share support needs, and delivering co-produced staff training to increase awareness and understanding of the needs of disabled people.
Commenting on the changes announced by the Department for Transport, Nik Hartley OBE, Chief Executive of the Spinal Injuries Association said:
I am proud of the role that SIA played in establishing the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group which helped pave the way for these changes. In order for people with a spinal cord injury, and other disabilities, to live a fulfilled life with dignity it is essential that they can independently access transport options safe in the knowledge that they will be respected and their mobility equipment protected.
Disabled passengers will be better protected from having wheelchairs damaged when they fly and will receive better support from trained airport and airline staff, as new accessibility improvements are rolled out across the aviation industry.
- greater protection for disabled passengers, with action to prevent wheelchairs being damaged
- airline and airport staff to receive better training designed to help disabled passengers get the assistance they need
- improvements come as Civil Aviation Bill progresses through Parliament, and will help create greater protections for disabled passengers
More than 1,000 wheelchairs were damaged in transit in 2023 alone, equivalent to more than 80 every month. This equates to an average of 0.43% of the wheelchairs transported in 2023 being damaged.
From: Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP – Published: 19 October 2026
For more information contact Spinal Injuries Association’s Public Affairs Team, [email protected]