November 2011 - The Australian
Sheila King, 75 was banned from a Jetstar flight from Adelaide to Brisbane in August 2008 because the flight already had two passengers requiring wheelchair assistance.
She was told Jetstar had a policy of only allowing a maximum of two wheelchair-reliant passengers on any flight.
Ms King, who has post-polio syndrome and crushed vertebrae as a result of a motor accident, has alleged that
Jetstar's policy contravenes the Disability Discrimination Act.
Redfern Legal Centre CEO Joanna Shulman said Australia was the only country where airlines seek to limit the number of passengers with disabilities and by doing so, seriously limits the ability of people with a disability to participate fully in society.
"Ms King is not seeking financial compensation; rather her hope is to change the Jetstar policy so that this incident does not happen to others in the future,'' she said.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM raised concerns about the low cost carrier's policy at a Senate Estimates Hearing earlier this month and has called for stronger regulation.
"People with disabilities are entitled to enjoy equality of access to air travel, in order to ensure they are able to participate fully in society,'' Ms Shulman said.
Ms King said she deserved to be treated the same as any other Australian, not made to be felt like a second class citizen.
"This fight is for all Australians living with a disability,'' she said.
The case began in the Federal Court yesterday and is expected to run all week.
While Jetstar was unable to comment on the case before the courts, a fact sheet said the two passenger wheelchair limit was reached on less than 10 per cent of flights.
"This approach is designed to balance our duty of care to passengers requiring assistance with the everyday operational needs of a low fares airline,'' it said.
"Shifting this balance even slightly would have a significant impact on Jetstar.
"It would increase critical aircraft turnaround times, alter staffing levels, raise costs and ultimately reduce our ability to offer low fares to the travelling public.
"Jetstar's practices are similar to other low cost carriers in Australia.''
Read the article on The Australian website.
