Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson to lead new taskforce for disabled air passengers

Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is to lead a new taskforce created to ease air travel for disabled passengers, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has announced.

The group will aim to tackle issues such as people being left onboard planes without timely assistance, mishandling of wheelchairs and a lack of access to toilets.

Other members will include Sophie Morgan, co-founder of global disability campaign body Rights on Flights, as well as industry representatives from organisations such as British Airways, Ryanair and Manchester airport.

Ms Haigh said: “Everyone has the right to travel with dignity and it is vital we ensure that flying is an accessible, safe and enjoyable experience for all.

“For too long, disabled passengers haven’t had the standard of assistance and service they need.

“That’s why we are bringing together this expert taskforce to drive forward change.

“Under the leadership of Baroness Grey-Thompson and with accomplished members like Sophie Morgan, this group will help break down barriers and deliver lasting and meaningful improvements to ensure passengers always comes first.”

In August, Lady Grey-Thompson said she was forced to crawl off a London North Eastern Railway train at London King’s Cross station on her way to the Paralympic Games in Paris because no staff were there to help.

The following month, BBC News security correspondent Frank Gardner said he had to crawl on the floor of a LOT Polish Airlines plane on a flight to Heathrow because there was no onboard aisle chair for disabled passengers.

Lady Grey-Thompson said: “I am looking forward to working with disabled people, industry experts and the Department for Transport to improve access to flying.

“It is essential that the rights of each passenger are protected at every aspect of their journey, so they can travel with the respect they deserve.”

Ms Morgan said: “This is an important milestone in the ongoing fight for rights on flights.

“For far too long disabled people have suffered when flying and enough is enough.

“By establishing the aviation accessibility task and finish group, the UK Government has sent a powerful message to the community and airline industry that change is in the air.”

The group will meet for the first time later this month and will agree “short and long-term practical and achievable actions”, the Department for Transport said.