EQUALITY TRIBUNAL FINDS AER ARANN DISCRIMINATED

Date Published: 25-Jul-2011

The Equality Tribunal has found that Galway-based airline, Aer Arann discriminated against a woman and has awarded her 3 thousand euro.

Dutch-native, children's author, Corina Duyn, could not board a flight from Cork to Edinburgh in 2009 because the airline's handling agents refused to accept her mobility scooter.

Ms Duyn, who lives in Waterford, was due to fly with Aer Arann in August 2009 to attend the Edinburgh Book Festival.

According to today's Irish Times, she contacted Aer Arann and told them she would be travelling with her mobility scooter.

As she was about to board the aircraft at Cork airport, Ms. Duyn was approached by a Servisair employee who told her Aer Arann did not carry such batteries.

Aer Arann told the hearing Ms Duyn told staff when booking her flight that her scooter contained a dry-cell battery.

They said if she had told them it was a wet battery they would have advised her of the difficulties.

The Tribunal found Ms. Duyn was discriminated against on the grounds of disability.

It ordered Aer Arann to conduct a review of its policies and procedures regarding scooter batteries.