Key facts
- Over 1,000 wheelchairs were damaged in transit in 2024.
- Almost one in five disabled passengers remain dissatisfied with air travel.
- Requests for assistance are continuing to rise.
The UK government has announced plans to improve safeguards for disabled air passengers, aiming to address issues such as damaged wheelchairs and inadequate staff support. The Department for Transport highlighted increased staff training and a new standardized system for handling mobility aids, following over 1,000 reported wheelchair damages in 2024. Despite these efforts, nearly one in five disabled passengers still report dissatisfaction with their air travel experience, and requests for assistance are rising. The proposed changes, expected within the civil aviation bill, include removing the maximum compensation limit for lost or damaged wheelchairs and granting the aviation regulator new fining powers for airlines and airports that fail to provide necessary assistance. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the need for disabled passengers to travel with dignity and peace of mind, free from concerns about their mobility equipment or airport support.