Is aviation an enabler or barrier for disabled passengers? A review of disability rights and policy for airline passengers in the EU and UK

Since the EU introduced Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 to support access and reduce barriers for People with Disabilities (PwD). Member States of the EU, and their respective Departments of Transport, have had the responsibility to ensure the Regulation is adopted, complied with, and evidenced at airports. This paper assesses to what extent the aviation sector in the EU, particularly the UK, is carrying out its legal obligations and whether a new ethos towards disabled travellers has been created because of regulations both at EU and national level since 2006. The conclusion drawn from legislation, the courts, and changes to airport infrastructure, show that whilst improvements have been made to enable access and reduce barriers for PwD, it will take a number of years and a greater desire from the sector to ensure equality for disabled passengers.