Jump to content
  • Sign up for free and receive a month's subscription

    You are viewing this page as a guest. That means you are either a member who has not logged in, or you have not yet registered with us. Signing up for an account only takes a minute and it means you will no longer see this annoying box! It will also allow you to get involved with our friendly(ish!) community and take part in the discussions on our forums. And because we're feeling generous, if you sign up for a free account we will give you a month's free trial access to our subscriber only content with no obligation to commit. Register an account and then send a private message to @dave u and he'll hook you up with a subscription.

roma home


kop77
 Share

Recommended Posts

Disabled Liverpool fan devastated to miss Roma match because his 'wheelchair is too big'

Jet2 say the electric wheelchair is too big to fit in the hold

 

 

A disabled Liverpool FC fan who booked flights to watch his beloved team play in Rome has been told he can't fly because his wheelchair is "too big".

 

Daniel Wakefield, 31, said he booked a day return charter flight with Jet2, through company Sport Options, to watch Liverpool vs Roma, on May 2.

 

However Mr Wakefield, from Allerton, claims he has now been left with "no way to travel" to watch his team play in the semi-final game, because Jet2 said his electric wheelchair "does not adhere to their policy".

 

He suffers from a muscle-weakening condition known as spinal muscular atrophy - where muscles weaken over time and can lead to problems sitting up, walking or moving.

 

LFC fan Daniel Wakefield, 31, has been left unable to get to Rome after Jet2 said his wheelchair was 'too big' for the plane's hold

 

Jet2's website states that "electric mobility aids which exceed 81cm in height will only be carried if the height can be reduced by either folding/removing the seat to enable it to fit through the aircraft hold door."

 

Mr Wakefield, whose wheelchair is 120cm, has branded the decision a "disgrace" and said "it is a huge cop out by the airline" - however representatives from the company have repeatedly claimed it is "too big to fit through the doors".

 

Sport Options have now issued Daniel a refund - but he is still left without any means of travel to Rome to watch LFC because of what he feels is a "loophole" in the law.

 

He said: "Irrespective of the reasoning Jet2 have given, they have not yet been explained to me in any detail.

 

"The law says that aircraft carriers can refuse to accept wheelchair users if the plane is unsuitable because of its size, or for other reasons that make it physically impossibly to transport wheelchair users.

 

"This is obviously a loophole that unscrupulous carriers can exploit.

 

"All I want to do is have the ability to experience life and travel hassle free without having to jump through hoops, just like everybody else.

 

"I am not the type of person to court publicity but I feel the time is right to speak out as things seem to be getting worse, rather than better, and situations such as this are becoming more prevalent across all sectors of society. It is unacceptable and things must begin to change."

 

Mr Wakefield says he's travelled "extensively" and never had a problem with his wheelchair.

 

He added: "I've travelled extensively across Europe and the US on all manner of aircraft and never had a problem at all. I suspect that this is just a cop out as they can’t bothered with the hassle of transporting an electric wheelchair and make it impossible because of their unreasonable conditions of carriage.

 

"Even if it was proven the chair can't fit in the hold - which I think is rubbish - the wider point still stands that the laws need changing to give better protection to disabled people like myself to stop this happening."

 

A spokesperson for Jet2 said: "We have been in contact with Dan to apologise, as unfortunately his wheelchair is too large to fit through the doors to load onto our aircraft."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share


×
×
  • Create New...