Quadriplegic Man Claims Discrimination Against Air Asia
May 21, 2014 1:49:26 GMT -8
Post by Lαrα on May 21, 2014 1:49:26 GMT -8
A 29 year old quadrilplegic, Peter Darch decided to contact the Australian Human Rights Commission citing disability discrimination because his wheelchair was refused access on an Air Asia flight departing from Perth Airport.
Peter Darch was “disgusted” when told he could not bring his electric wheelchair with him on an Air Asia flight to Bali last Tuesday.
The Mandurah resident, 29, was flying with his wife, parents and grandparents.
But after the airline refused to take his foldable wheelchair his wife had to fork out $700 on a new flight with another airline that would take the wheelchair to Bali.
The Mandurah resident, 29, was flying with his wife, parents and grandparents.
But after the airline refused to take his foldable wheelchair his wife had to fork out $700 on a new flight with another airline that would take the wheelchair to Bali.
Around one hour prior to takeoff we were approached by the same customer service representatives that checked us in and informed that I would not be able to travel with my electric wheelchair,” Mr Darch wrote to the commission.
“Despite having a dangerous goods certificate deeming the (wheelchair’s) battery safe for travel, the airline refused to take it on the plane.
“I informed the airline that I could potentially remove the batteries and purchase some in Bali. The airline’s response was no, that even without the battery – which had originally been used as the reason the chair could not travel on the airline – it would not be allowed in the cargo hold.
“Despite having a dangerous goods certificate deeming the (wheelchair’s) battery safe for travel, the airline refused to take it on the plane.
“I informed the airline that I could potentially remove the batteries and purchase some in Bali. The airline’s response was no, that even without the battery – which had originally been used as the reason the chair could not travel on the airline – it would not be allowed in the cargo hold.
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