Ccs Join Dispute Against Air Nz

21 May 2004

Ccs Join Dispute Against Air Nz

CCS has joined in the dispute against Air New Zealand surrounding their treatment of wheelchair users on domestic flights.

Recently Air New Zealand changed their policy regarding wheelchair users who are unable to transfer from wheelchair to seat. These passengers are no longer able to travel unless they provide their own lifters at each destination or these lifters travel with them at cost. Air New Zealand is the only airline to have such a policy regarding wheelchair users.

“Air New Zealand positions itself to the New Zealand public as representing New Zealand and our culture. They once seemed to understand that it was more than just about travel. That is their brand. We’re here to tell them to include New Zealand’s disabled people in that culture and ensure their independent travel”, says Viv Maidaborn, Chief Executive, CCS.

Air New Zealand’s change in policy has been widely criticised, and there is currently a move to make a group complaint to the Human Rights Commission regarding the new policy and its direct effect upon the disabled.

CCS is a large disability organisation with a network of 80,000 people, all of who are part of the Mobility Parking Scheme. CCS understands that Air New Zealand have no current view to changing their policy.

Beverley Grammer, a wheelchair user and regular flyer says, “This is just another obstacle. Before they changed the policy I could fly on my own but now I have to take someone with me, and pay the extra cost. This is just another barrier to being independent ”.

ENDS

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