Sophie Morgan has declared victory in her ongoing RightsonFlights campaign, following the announcement of legislative reforms by the government.
After having her wheelchair broken twice by airlines this year, the Loose Women actress has been speaking out about how individuals with disabilities are treated when travelling.
The TV host, author, and disability advocate, 38, started the campaign after her wheelchair was damaged by airport personnel in February while flying between the UK and the US.
Sophie stated at the time that she did not feel ‘valued’ as a person and that she wanted to try to make air travel really accessible to everybody.
She is now ecstatic after learning of a crucial stride ahead, which she refers to as a “little win.”
‘Oh. My. God. 🤯 Just woke up to the news that…..the U.K. Government ARE going to change the legislation to protect disabled people when we fly!!!!!!! ✈️ It’s HAPPENING!!!!!,’ she posted on Twitter on Tuesday.
She then wrote a lengthy Instagram post detailing what was going on.
‘BREAKING NEWS! The U.K. Government has published a report outlining the changes to legislation it intends to make to protect disabled flyers ✈️!!,’ she began.
‘This includes a change to the COMPENSATION that we get when our equipment is damaged AND powers to the regulators to IMPOSE FINES when were let down by the airlines.!!! It’s a small win on the long journey to change!!
‘Now we hold them to account.’
Sophie went on to say that she was meeting with Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer tomorrow and that ‘change WILL happen one way or another.’
She called it ‘historic news,’ and said it showed the administration was ‘listening,’ and that work will now begin to hold them accountable.
The government noted in a news statement that the measures would include enhanced enforcement powers for the UK Civil Aviation Authority as well as faster and cheaper dispute settlement, which would result in “better standards for all passengers on flights flying to and from the UK.”
Passengers who have their wheelchairs damaged on UK domestic flights will be able to obtain ‘full and equitable compensation,’ while airlines will be urged to waive the cap for foreign flights.
Sophie’s batec (battery-powered attachment) stopped working earlier this month, after her £8,000 wheelchair was broken the first time.
She was ‘totally angry’ and ‘exhausted’ at the moment.
Sophie, who was paralysed from the chest down in a vehicle accident when she was 18, soon after stated that “nothing is more annoying” for a disabled airline traveller than having their mobility gear destroyed.
She went on to say that it was ‘debilitating’ and had an impact on people’s ‘ongoing trust’ in aviation travel.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.
