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'This is blatant discrimination'
11/03/2008 17:17 - (SA)
Johannesburg - SA Airways was blatantly discriminating against people with disabilities, the SA Human Rights Commission claimed on Tuesday.
Commission spokesperson Simmi Pillay said they had received a number of complaints from SAA customers who said their rights to dignity and equality had been violated the past month.
The commission would meet the Airports Company of SA, airlines and disabled peoples organisations on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the matter.
"These passengers' personal and professional lives have been compromised due to delays in accessing passenger assistance units.
"Some have been turned away completely or advised to use other carriers."
She said the problems followed a change in ground management service providers at OR Tambo Airport.
The change was not properly planned or managed and passengers with disabilities were bearing the brunt of the mismanagement.
Pillay said the commission wanted SAA to reinstate full services to disabled passengers.
She said SAA had been adapting catering trucks to transport disabled passengers, which was unacceptable for human beings.
"This is blatant discrimination against passengers with disabilities," she said.
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