Travellers with a disability or reduced mobility are “significantly less likely” to have flown in the past year, research from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has found.
In total just 39 per cent of people with a disability are classified as ‘recent flyers’, meaning they have taken a flight in the past year. This compares with 52 per cent of those without a disability.
The study, which the CAA commissioned to understand more about people’s behaviours, needs and attitudes toward air travel, found one of the reasons for the disparity relates to concerns over access, including both physical and communication barriers.
It also showed disabled travellers have a “fear” over things going wrong.
However, the research found that 78 per cent of those who request in advance the special assistance they are entitled to, at airports and on airlines, are either ‘very satisfied’ (54 per cent) or ‘satisfied’ ( 24 per cent) with their air travel experience.
CAA group director Iain Osborne said: “Where people with reduced mobility request special assistance in advance, they are often very satisfied with the service they get at airports and on board airlines and some, who fly multiple times a year, are clearly confident flyers.
“However there is a significant number of other disabled passengers, who have low expectations about air travel, and fear things will go wrong and the evidence shows this group are infrequent or non-flyers.
“Sadly it would appear one of the biggest barriers to flying is a lack of understanding and information about the specially tailored special assistance airports and airlines are legally obliged to provide, which enables people with a disability or reduced mobility – to go from departure to arrival with minimal fuss and ease,” he said.
The CAA has been working with major airlines and airports to improve the quality of special assistance information on their websites.
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