Officials attempt to ease the way for disabled airline passengers

A CAP on how long disabled passengers have to wait to get off planes is being considered by the Government.

The Department for Transport (DFT) is looking to ease air travel for those receiving assistance boarding and leaving planes and officials are in talks with the aviation industry to develop priority wheelchair storage on planes for quick access on arrival.

They are also examining how aircraft manufacturers can remove seats to accommodate wheelchairs and disabled lavatories. Baroness Sugg, the aviation minister, said the flying experience needed to be “a positive one for everyone boarding a plane”. She added: “As part of our aviation strategy, we will be working to understand more about the barriers that currently exist for passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities and working with the industry to remove these obstacles.”

Frank Gardner, the BBC security correspondent, who was kept waiting on a plane for nearly two hours after landing at Heathrow as his wheelchair was lost, described the move as “a welcome step”, but warned that “we’re unlikely to see actual changes in the near future”.