Overview

The Civil Aviation (Accessibility) Bill aims to improve air travel accessibility for disabled people. It mandates reasonable adjustments by airports and airlines, requires reporting on accessibility improvements, establishes a minimum number of disabled parking spaces at airports, designates a named person to assist disabled passengers, and creates a working group to examine aircraft design improvements.

Description

This bill introduces several key measures:

• Reasonable Adjustments: Airports and airlines must make reasonable adjustments to ensure services are equally accessible to disabled and non-disabled people. This includes providing support, staff training, infrastructural changes, and information sharing.
• Annual Reporting: Airports and airlines must submit annual reports to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) detailing accessibility steps taken, complaints procedures, and (for airlines) wheelchair storage space on aircraft.
• Disabled Parking: Airports must provide a sufficient number of disabled parking spaces, with the exact proportion to be determined by regulations set by the Secretary of State.
• Named Person: Regulations may require airports and airlines to appoint a named person responsible for coordinating assistance for disabled passengers on each flight.
• Aircraft Design Working Group: A working group will be established to study and report on improving aircraft design for disabled passengers.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. Costs will likely arise from the CAA's oversight responsibilities, the working group's operation, and potential future regulatory changes which might necessitate funding or legislation to cover implementation costs. The overall financial impact is unclear without further details.

Groups Affected

• Disabled Passengers: Will benefit from improved accessibility and support throughout their air travel journey.
• Airport Operators: Will face new obligations regarding accessibility, parking, reporting, and potentially staffing costs.
• Airlines: Will face similar obligations to airport operators, including potentially modifying aircraft and improving staff training.
• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): Will be responsible for overseeing compliance and receiving reports.
• Secretary of State: Will have responsibility for setting regulations and establishing the working group.

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