2HR WAIT FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS FROM ULSTER

Aviation chiefs slam service at four airports

DISABLED passengers flying from Belfast to Heathrow face a potential two-hour wait to be helped off the plane.

The Civil Aviation Authority has assessed airports for the service they give to travellers with additional needs.

And it found the London airport, Manchester, East Midlands and Exeter, to be bottom of the pile.

The authority’s deputy chief Richard Moriarty told the Mirror: “The majority of UK airports are providing very good or good support. But four airports have not met the CAA’S expectations and have been told they must improve. Heathrow is already acting on the matter which is good news.

“We have had incidents where passengers have been left to sit on a plane at Heathrow for around two hours waiting for assistance and this is just not good enough. They are isolated incidents but improvements to the service are vital. The knock-on effect can include a delay to the plane being turned around for another flight, which means other passengers are waiting.

“And the passenger awaiting assistance could well have connection flights or trains planned and paid for.”

Northern Ireland’s three airports – Aldergrove International, George Best City Airport and City of Derry at Eglinton – were all graded as good.

Heathrow and East Midlands have been pulled up on their approach to service for disabled passengers.

Manchester and Exeter have not satisfied the authority they are actively engaging with local disability groups.

POOR Concerns at level of service at Heathrow