pacemaker
A photo of Andy Allen before playing in the Warrior Games in 2019
A Northern Irish politician who uses a wheelchair was frustrated when a plane took off without him at Birmingham airport because there was no lift provided to get him on board.
Ulster Unionist Party MP Andy Allen told BBC News NI he had been due to travel to Belfast City Airport on an Aer Lingus flight on Sunday but was unable to board.
Allen, a former soldier, was 19 when he was injured by a bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008.
He said he was sitting on the tarmac preparing to depart but was then informed that his luggage had been asked to be removed from the aircraft and that the plane would be departing without him.
He was returned to the terminal.
The airport provided him with a hotel for the night and he was due to catch a flight on Monday.
The airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue was due to a “technical issue” and would be thoroughly investigated.
Aer Lingus Regional Airlines, which operates Emerald Airlines, apologised to Allen and said it was “doing all it can to assist all customers who require additional support”.
“We need to improve things for people with disabilities.”
But Allen said accessibility for customers with disabilities needed to be improved.
The problem, he explained, wasn’t that he missed the flight, but that he missed it because he’s a wheelchair user.
“As a society, we have work to do to make sure disabled people can play a full role in society and that it doesn’t prevent them from entering a building, going up in a lift or evacuating a building safely,” he told BBC News NI.
“It’s devastating,” he said.
“How many people have had similar experiences but have not been able to speak up? That’s why I felt it was important to speak out,” he added.
He said there were problems with special assistance at the airport.
“I’m not asking for special treatment, I’m just asking for a level playing field,” he added.
Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was “terrible”.
Mr Allen, a former soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment, was elected as the Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament for East Belfast in 2015, replacing Michael Copeland.
“Technical issues”
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A Birmingham Airport spokesman apologised for any inconvenience caused.
A Birmingham Airport spokesman said the airport was “working closely with travel assistance provider Mitier to deliver the best possible customer service for all passengers”.
“Unfortunately, on this occasion, Mr Allen experienced a delay due to a technical issue. We will thoroughly investigate this matter. Mr Allen has rebooked his flight for tomorrow and we are making hotel arrangements for this evening for him and his travelling companion.”
“We apologise to Mr Allen for any inconvenience caused.”
“Challenges faced by customers with disabilities”
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Aer Lingus said it was committed to supporting customers with disabilities.
An Aer Lingus spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise to customers who travelled on the Aer Lingus Regional flight operated by Emerald Airlines for the experience suffered.”
“Aer Lingus recognises the challenges faced by customers with disabilities and is committed to doing all we can to assist all customers who require additional support.”
“Emerald Airlines has contacted the customer directly to offer its sincere apologies for this incident.”
