The under-reported problem of airlines and damage or loss of disability/mobility equipment in their care
Image of a damaged powerchair at airport from: https://wheelchairtravel.org/
The mishandling and loss of mobility devices such as powerchairs, mobility scooters & wheelchairs by airlines can have far-reaching consequences for travellers with disabilities. Beyond the inconvenience and frustration of having their equipment damaged or lost, these incidents can significantly impact their independence and overall quality of life.
Some of the key consequences of airline damaged mobility devices:
- Loss of Independence: Mobility devices are essential tools for many individuals with disabilities, enabling them to navigate the world independently. When these devices are damaged or lost, it can severely limit a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and participate fully in society.
- Emotional Distress: The experience of having a mobility device mishandled can be emotionally distressing. It can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and helplessness.
- Financial Burden: Repairing or replacing a damaged mobility device can be expensive. This can create a significant financial burden for individuals who may already be facing challenges related to accessibility and affordability.
- Disruption of Travel Plans: The loss or damage of a mobility device can disrupt travel plans and cause significant inconvenience. This can be particularly problematic for individuals who rely on air travel for essential medical appointments or family visits.
Beyond the individual impact, the mishandling of mobility devices raises broader concerns about the accessibility of air travel for people with disabilities. Airlines have a responsibility to ensure that their services are inclusive and meet the needs of all passengers. By addressing the issue of mobility device mishandling, airlines can help to create a more equitable and accessible travel experience for everyone.
Articles that delve into the issue of airline mishandling of mobility devices:
ABC News: This article explores that in a little more than two and a half years, airlines damaged or lost 15,749 wheelchairs and scooters, according to data from the Department of Transportation. In 2019, they mishandled 10,548 mobility devices, amounting to roughly 29 a day.
Airlines keep losing and damaging wheelchairs at an alarming rate
The Washington Post: This article discusses the growing number of lawsuits filed against airlines by passengers with disabilities who have suffered losses due to the mishandling of their mobility devices. It explores the legal implications of these cases.
More wheelchairs are being damaged on planes
The Guardian: This article examines the systemic issues that contribute to the problem of airline mishandling of mobility devices. It calls for greater accountability and transparency from the airlines.
American Airlines crew filmed my distress after wheelchair failed to arrive at Heathrow
These articles provide valuable insights into the ongoing challenges faced by travellers with disabilities and highlight the need for urgent action to address this issue.
Missing (or simply not available) data from airlines:
Even though it is suspected (and widely reported on social media pages and disability advocate group blogs) that the airlines are damaging mobility devices regularly, unfortunately, as yet there is no comprehensive, publicly available dataset that tracks the exact number of mobility devices damaged, lost, or misrouted by airlines outside of the US. This is due to a combination of factors, including:
- Reporting inconsistencies: Different airlines may have varying reporting procedures, making it difficult to compare data across the industry.
- Underreporting: Some incidents may not be reported, particularly if the passenger feels overwhelmed or discouraged from pursuing a claim.
- Data privacy: Airlines may not disclose detailed information about incidents due to privacy concerns.
However, organizations like Wheelchair Travel Organization and Disability Rights Advocates have been working to raise awareness of this growing issue and collect data on reported incidents. While their figures may not be exhaustive, they can provide valuable insights into the actual scale of the problem.
Here are some figures obtained via the Wheelchair Travel Organisation for loss or damage of mobility devices for US carriers for 2023:
From January to August 2023, the 10 largest U.S. airlines have carried a total of 544,561 personal mobility devices, mishandling 7,602 of them, or 31 per day, for an industry average rate of 1.40%.
Here is an early 2023 ranking of carriers based on the frequency of wheelchair delay, damage or destruction using the available data:
- Allegiant Airlines — 0.06% (9 mishandled of 14,314 carried)
- Delta Air Lines — 0.68% (890 mishandled of 130,887 carried)
- United Airlines — 1.20% (1,176 mishandled of 98,287 carried)
- Hawaiian Airlines — 1.51% (108 mishandled of 7,160 carried)
- Southwest Airlines — 1.65% (2,206 mishandled of 133,679 carried)
- JetBlue Airways — 1.67% (334 mishandled of 20,004 carried)
- American Airlines — 1.83% (1,730 mishandled of 94,436 carried)
- Frontier Airlines — 1.88% (350 mishandled of 18,629 carried)
- Alaska Airlines — 1.92% (388 mishandled of 20,170 carried)
- Spirit Airlines — 5.88% (411 mishandled of 6,995 carried)
Here is a link to the full article with more details & figures: https://wheelchairtravel.org/airline-wheelchair-damage-statistics-update-october-2023/
It’s important to note again, that even a single incident of a mobility device being damaged, lost, or misrouted can have a profound impact on the individual involved.
Therefore, it’s crucial to continue advocating for improved policies and practices to prevent these incidents from happening.
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