Disabled passengers will soon benefit from increased protection when travelling by air, with new measures aimed at preventing damage to wheelchairs, improving staff training and making assistance at airports more accessible.
The changes are being introduced across the UK aviation industry following recommendations from former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, whose investigation into accessibility when flying highlighted the challenges faced by disabled passengers.
In 2024, over 1,000 wheelchairs were damaged during air travel, equivalent to more than 80 every month. For people who rely on their wheelchairs for everyday mobility, damage can have serious consequences, affecting their independence and disrupting their trips by leaving them waiting for specialist repairs. Airlines UK Chief Executive, Tim Alderslade, said that the number of passengers requiring assistance had increased by almost 10% year on year.
The new improvements are being overseen by the Aviation Accessibility Implementation Group, a cross-industry initiative established by the Department for Transport to improve the experience of passengers with reduced mobility and other accessibility requirements.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said that the measures intend to give disabled passengers greater confidence when flying, including reassurance that their mobility equipment would be handled carefully and that appropriate assistance would be available throughout their journey.
The programme brings airlines, airports and accessibility specialists together to address barriers from the initial stages of booking through to arrival at the destination. A standardised form, introduced in March 2026, allows passengers to share important information about their wheelchairs before travelling, including battery specifications and handling requirements.
The initiative is intended to reduce the risk of mobility equipment being damaged during loading, transport and unloading, while helping airline and airport staff understand how individual devices should be handled. Staff training, developed with input from disabled passengers, aims to improve awareness of different accessibility requirements and help employees provide appropriate support without passengers having to repeatedly explain their needs.
Airlines, airports and mobility aid manufacturers have also joined forces in a UK-first partnership focused on the safe carriage and handling of wheelchairs and other mobility equipment, particularly devices fitted with lithium batteries.
A new digital platform is also planned for trial, allowing disabled passengers to communicate their support requirements before arriving at the airport - helping airports to prepare assistance in advance
Alongside this, the Aviation Accessibility Implementation Group is calling for better coordination between airline and airport websites, alongside simpler access to essential accessibility information with the aim to make it easier for passengers to understand the support available throughout their journey.
The accessibility improvements come as the Government’s Civil Aviation Bill progresses through Parliament, with proposed measures intended to strengthen passenger protections and give the independent aviation regulator greater powers to act when airlines or airports fail to meet their obligations.