New aviation charter plan to improve air travel for the disabled

IMPROVING conditions for disabled airline passengers is a key focus of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.

The document includes commitments to raise wheelchair storage standards, ensure better training for staff and boost awareness among disabled passengers of their rights.

The charter is one of the proposals outlined by aviation minister Liz Sugg from the Government’s upcoming aviation strategy consultation.

Service level standards for all passengers for how complaints and compensation claims are resolved are also included in the document, which was agreed by the aviation industry and the Government.

In July, the Civil Aviation Authority warned that the treatment of disabled passengers by four of the UK’s seven busiest airports is unacceptable.

Manchester received a “poor” accessibility rating, while London Gatwick, London Stansted and Birmingham were told they “need improvement”.

Some passengers on incoming flights at Manchester Airport were left waiting on planes for more than an hour before assistance arrived, the research found.

BBC journalist Frank Gardner, who is a wheelchair user, made headlines after being left stranded on a plane twice in six months earlier this year.

Ms Sugg said: “Our fantastic aviation industry connects passengers to destinations across the world with some of the best fares available.

“But we are determined to work with industry to continue to drive up service levels and the new passenger charter aims to improve the experience of all passengers when they fly.”

Karen Dee, boss of the Airport Operators Association, said: “CAA figures show that more than eight in 10 people had a good experience on their most recent flight, demonstrating that the UK aviation industry is offering a great experience for passengers.

“Nevertheless, as an industry we are always looking to build on our success.”

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said carriers will work with the Government to “connect UK families and businesses domestically and to the world, deliver tremendous value for money and further improve the travelling experience for all passengers”.

The charter will be proposed as part of the Government’s aviation strategy consultation which launches later this month, before the Government’s policy is finalised next year. A FORMER personal assistant to JK Rowling who is accused of fraudulently using the writer’s credit card to go on spending sprees was a “good liar”, the Harry Potter author’s husband has told a court.

Dr Neil Murray said Amanda Donaldson was employed to organise his wife’s business and personal matters. He explained she was suspended and later dismissed in 2017 over alleged unauthorised spending that included £3,629 in cosmetics store Molton Brown, £2,139 in stationery shop Paper Tiger and more than £1,800 in Starbucks and Costa.

The civil case at Airdrie Sheriff Court heard that an accountant raised concerns over Ms Donaldson’s spending with Dr Murray, who co-manages his wife’s business affairs. He said that the biggest concern was over cash withdrawals of £400 and £250 made in December 2016 that Ms Donaldson claimed were for a Christmas lunch deposit.

Chartered accounted Steven Simou earlier told the court that

Accused: Amanda Donaldson

when he contacted the restaurant, he discovered that no deposit had been requested or taken off the final bill.

Dr Murray told the court he challenged Ms Donaldson, who denies the claims against her, in “an astonishing encounter”.

He said: “Amanda had always adopted a lively, slightly bubbly, a bit scatty demeanour.

“I thought she might be emotional or run about the office looking for bits of paper, but what I found was a completely

❝ She has always adopted a lively, slightly bubbly, a bit scatty demeanour