The Equality Tribunal found that Aer Lingus discriminated against Ms A by treating her less favourably because of disability and failing to provide reasonable accommodation. It awarded her €1,500 compensation.
Equality Officer Gary O’Doherty dated the decision 3 June 2009. Ms A had brought the complaint on behalf of her sister, Ms B, who had previously travelled unaccompanied using the airline’s “meet and assist” service. After Aer Lingus stopped offering it, the alternative assistance arranged did not cover Ms B at her destination, and the airline sought further medical clearance despite her existing clearance.
Aer Lingus said the service involved supervision beyond its obligations and raised safety concerns about delays, diversions and emergencies. The Equality Officer found that passengers with physical disabilities received a fuller range of assistance than Ms B, and that the difference was related to her intellectual disability. He also found that further medical clearance had not been shown to be necessary for safety reasons, and that providing the requested assistance would have involved no more than a nominal cost. The Tribunal recommended that Aer Lingus review its arrangements for treating passengers with disabilities.