SAA urged to reinstate full disability service

South Africa Human Rights Commission is calling on the South Africa Airways (SAA), to reinstate full service to passengers with disabilities.

The commission says it has been receiving a number of complaints from SAA customers who feel their rights to equality, dignity, independent living and that of mobility and transport have been violated.

It further states that some of these customers have been turned away completely or advised to use other carriers. SA Human Rights and disability Co-coordinator Simmi Pillay says that the national carrier was aware of the termination of the previous contract of the service providers and should have made adequate plans to manage the transition. "Passengers should have not had to bear the brunt of operational challenges," says Pillay.

"SAA says they are waiting for European supplies to come. It is logistics that have failed SAA but they should have made plans timeously to ensure this doesn't affect their customers."

She says the commission will be meeting with SAA, other carriers, ACSA and disabled peoples organisations later this afternoon to discuss the challenges and find a way to remedy the situation.