Acsa to improve service to disabled passengers

The aviation industry in South Africa has agreed on a number of immediate steps to address the issue of accessibility in airports for the disabled. This follows the claim made by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) yesterday that SAA was blatantly discriminating against people with disabilities.

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) communications manager, Solomon Makgale, says they were not really aware of the deterioration in the service provided to disabled people. "We have now entered into an agreement with two other companies to assist us in improving our service," says Makgale.

He says Acsa will issue an apology to the disabled community and has assured disabled passengers of an improved service.

SAHRC commission spokesperson, Simmi Pillay, said the body received a number of complaints from SAA customers who said their rights to dignity and equality had been violated in the past month. The SAHRC stated that some of these customers had been turned away completely or advised to use other carriers.

The commission 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.