HRC stand against
SAA’s inadequate treatment of disabled passengers’ yields results.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has acted after receiving a number of complaints from disabled passengers about the service they have received from airlines.
Following the HRC intervention, steps have been taken by the relevant parties to improve the service provided to people with disabilities by airlines and ramp carriers. The Airports Company of SA (ACSA) convened an emergency meeting on 11 March attended by the HRC, the Quadriplegic Association of SA (QASA), the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA), the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, SA Airways, BA/Comair, 1Time, BidAir, Menzies and Swissport.
It was agreed that one of the major contributors to the problem was the shortage of Passenger Aid Units (PAUs). Swissport SA, BidAir Services and Menzies Aviation have entered into a three-way reciprocal agreement to alleviate this problem. It was also agreed that flights carrying disabled passengers should be allocated to air bridges to minimise the need for PAUs where possible and that ground handling companies must have appropriate equipment. Ground handling companies have made a commitment to consult with QASA and NCPPDSA in order to improve the training of their employees.
South African Airways GM of Operations Chris Smyth says “We are putting a number of urgent measures in place to improve the quality of handling by our staff and are working with QASA and the council to improve comfort levels for all disabled passengers. This will include sensitivity training for our staff under the guidance of the disabled community and will also include placing water and towels on board our PAUs”.
Click here to read related ACSA article.
