Government disabilities advisor banned from flight over wheelchair

06.04.08

A woman who advises the Government on disability rights was banned from a flight last week - because she was in a wheelchair, the Sunday People reports. Michelle Daley, 36, told the newspaper that an Air France pilot refused to let her on board because she was a ‘health and safety’ risk. She said: ‘It was humiliating and degrading - and blatant discrimination.’

Ms Daley was on her way to a conference in Belfast when she was turned away at London City Airport. She said she checked the disabled facilities with the airport before booking her flight. But that the pilot told her she was a risk because she cannot walk on her own.

She added: ‘I accused them of blatant discrimination. They were making out it was my fault. I could not believe it. I am advising the Government on disability equality and ironically I was prevented from doing my job properly. That type of discrimination is just not on.’

Ms Daley eventually made it to Belfast on a bmi flight after taking a taxi to Heathrow. Air France has pledged to investigate.

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