The Civil Aviation Authority is reviewing travel agent websites after finding that few are displaying information on what facilities are available for disabled travellers.

This investigation follows a court case where equipment promised to a disabled traveller for a flight was not provided, prompting concern that accurate information is not being passed between airlines and agents.

The CAA is now reviewing airline and travel agents websites to check that information is easily available to disabled people and those with reduced mobility.

EU law obliges airlines and airports to provide certain assistance to passengers with reduced mobility, it also requires airlines and agents to pass on this information and advise the passenger of any reason why they cannot travel on their chosen flight.

The CAA is now working with ABTA to help improve the information provided by travel agents and ABTA has recently released guidance to help travel agents when planning trips for disabled travellers.

Diasabled passenger rights and further information

EU law requires that airlines and airport provide assistance to passengers with reduced mobility to help them undertake their journey.

Read our article for more information about your rights under EU law: Disabled Travellers: Airport and Airline Services

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes useful advice for disabled travellers heading abroad, from planning a trip to setting off on your journey: FCO Advice for Disabled Passengers

Travel insurance for disabilities

The FCO recommend that you buy travel insurance, including cover for any existing medical conditions and disabilities, every time you travel abroad.

When you are looking for disability travel insurance make sure that the policy includes cover for the loss, damage or theft of mobility aids, they are not cheap and may not be something that you could easily manage without.

Goodtogoinsurance.com includes cover for wheelchairs, walking sticks and mobility aids as standard on all of our travel insurance policies. Our policies provide cover for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement if your wheelchair or other mobility aid is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. We will also pay the cost of temporary hire during your trip.

Find out more about travel insurance for disabilities