by Shaun Heasley | December 17, 2024
Federal officials are finalizing a rule that they say will yield the largest expansion of rights for airline passengers with disabilities in a generation. Under the regulation published this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation will mandate better training for airline staff and contractors who assist people with disabilities as well as those who handle wheelchairs. In addition, the rule enhances the expectations for how assistance is provided and what must occur if a wheelchair is damaged or delayed.
“Every passenger deserves safe, dignified travel when they fly — and we’ve taken unprecedented actions to hold airlines accountable when they do not provide fair treatment to passengers with disabilities,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “With the new protections we’re announcing today, we’re establishing a new standard for air travel — with clear and thorough guidelines for airlines to ensure that passengers using wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.”