Persons with Reduced Mobility Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006
Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006 which concerns the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air came into effect in full on the 26th July 2008. However Articles 3 and 4, which deal with prevention of refusal of carriage, have been in force since 26th July 2007. The overall intention of the Regulation is to offer Persons with Reduced Mobility opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens. It aims to standardise the assistance provided to Persons of Reduced Mobility in airports and on board aircraft.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation is the National Enforcement Body (NEB) for this Regulation in Ireland. Each Member State is required to designate an NEB as the responsible authority for the enforcement of the Regulation within its jurisdiction, and a full list of these bodies may be found here: Full list of NEB's
To whom does the Regulation apply?
The provisions of the Regulation apply to Persons with Reduced Mobility departing from, arriving to or transiting through an airport in the EU on a commercial air service.
The rights set down in respect of prevention of refusal of carriage (except in limited circumstances) and the right to assistance by air carriers shall also apply to passengers departing from an airport outside of the EU to an EU member state, if the carrier is an EU licensed airline.
This office deals with complaints regarding the assistance provided to persons with reduced mobility at airports in the Republic of Ireland as well as complaints relating to the care and assistance received whilst onboard an airline which is licensed in the Republic of Ireland. A list of these airlines is available here: List of Irish Airlines
Who qualifies as a disabled person or person with reduced mobility for the purpose of this Regulation?
Article 2(a) of the Regulation states the following: "a disabled person or person with reduced mobility means any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced due to any physical disability (sensory or locomotor, permanent or temporary), intellectual disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability, or age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and the adaption to his or her particular needs of the service made available to all passengers".
How can the assistance set out in this Regulation be obtained?
Passengers with reduced mobility who require assistance under this Regulation should inform their airline at least 48 hours prior to their intended departure. The assistance specified in this Regulation must be provided free of charge.
What level of assistance will be provided?
Assistance should be given to disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility to enable them proceed from a designated point of arrival at an airport to their aircraft and from their aircraft to a designated point of departure at the airport. This facility should also include the assistance necessary for embarkation, disembarkation and transiting through an airport.
Further information on the designated points of arrival at all Irish airports can be obtained by viewing the relevant website. For a full list of Irish airports and their websites please click here: Irish Airports
What does the Regulation do?
The Regulation sets out rights for Persons with Reduced Mobility. These rights can be summarised under 4 main headings:
For more information on your rights and entitlements please follow the above links.
What should I do if I feel my Rights under this Regulation have not been respected by the airport or air carrier?
If you feel that you have a complaint under the Regulation, you should first seek to address the matter with the air carrier or airport concerned.
In the event that you are not satisfied with their response you may lodge a complaint with this office or to the relevant national enforcement body. Please see our complaint procedure section for more information.