Information for disabled passengers

Regulation no. 475/2008 makes provision for protection of and assistance to disabled passengers. The regulation is meant to ensure that aerodrome operators and air operators provide this group of passengers with sufficient assistance and thus to counteract discrimination against the group. The regulation is an introduction of Council and Parliament regulation no. 1107/2006 from 5 July 2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility who travel by air. The regulation applies to flights within countries belonging to the European Union and the European Economic Area.

It is necessary that passengers who wish to receive assistance in an aerodrome or airplane make that need known when booking the fare. The air operator and/or travel agency shall forward the request of a passenger to the aerodrome operator which is responsible for providing the assistance.

Assistance to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility consists, for example, in enabling them to:

  • pass through check-in and security procedures at an aerodrome;
  • board an aircraft;
  • stow baggage on board an aircraft;
  • make a connecting flight at an aerodrome;
  • proceed from an aircraft through emigration;
  • go through customs at the point of arrival;
  • retrieve baggage at the point of arrival.

Further assistance consists, for example, in assistance with handling and putting away assistive devices and support devices, as well as in communicating necessary information.

Disabled persons shall be provided with these services free of charge. Air operators also have various duties according to the regulation. Air operators shall provide passengers with information on flights in an accessible format as well as information on the safety rules which apply to the carriage of disabled persons and any restrictions on the carriage of disabled persons and support devices.

Air operators shall transport support and medical devices for disabled persons, including electric wheelchairs. The carriage of support and medical devices is though subject to a notice on the planned carriage being received within prescribed time limits and sufficient space being available on the aircraft.

Air operators are also expected to provide an accompanying person with a seat next to the person with disability or reduced mobility, if this is possible. Air operators shall furthermore make all reasonable efforts to arrange seating to meet the needs of individuals with disability or reduced mobility on request and subject to safety requirements and availability.

Codes used by airlines 

  • WCHR Passenger who can walk up and down stairs and move about in an aircraft cabin, but who requires a wheelchair or other means for movements between the aircraft and the terminal, in the terminal and between arrival and departure points on the city side of the terminal.
  • WCHS Passenger who cannot walk up or down stairs, but who can move about in an aircraft cabin and requires a wheelchair to move between the aircraft and the terminal, in the terminal and between arrival and departure points on the city side of the terminal.
  • WCHC Passenger who is completely immobile, who can move about only with the help of a wheelchair or any other means and who requires assistance at all times from arrival at the airport to seating in the aircraft or, if necessary, in a special seat fitted to his/her specific needs, the process being inverted at arrival.
  • DEAF  Passenger who is deaf or a passenger who is deaf without speech.
  • BLIND  Blind.
  • DEAF/BLIND   Passenger who is blind and deaf or deaf without speech, who can move about only with the help of an accompanying person.
  • STCR  Passenger who can only be transported on a stretcher.
  • MAAS  All other passengers in need of special help (meet and assist).

ECAC Doc 30 contains another category, which is not yet internationally recognised:

  • Passenger with a disability of the lower limbs who has sufficient personal autonomy to take care of him/herself, but who requires assistance to embark or disembark and who can move about in an aircraft cabin only with the help of an on-board wheelchair.