US: Disability complaints to airlines doubled in a decade, GAO finds
The number of complaints against airlines from disabled travelers doubled in a decade to more than 30,000 in a year, according to a federal watchdog report Wednesday. But 12 carriers studied each demonstrated they have repeated training programs for helping passengers with disabilities, according to the Government Accountability Office. Airlines provide a combination of classroom and computer-based training. The training typically includes an eight-hour class with lessons in handling wheelchairs and assisting with boarding, according to the 34-page GAO report required by a law last year governing the Federal Aviation Administration. "Airlines place a high priority on meeting the needs of all passengers and regularly invest in training programs and processes, new and improved technologies and customer support staff to accommodate passengers with disabilities," said Kathy Grannis Allen, spokeswoman for Airlines for America, a trade group representing most of the largest carriers. "A4A and our members will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to ensure that our customers are provided with any support necessary and the highest levels of customer service." Since 2005, the department investigated 51 cases involving disabilities, according to GAO. From 2005 through 2015, GAO found the number of disability complaints filed with airlines grew from 13,584 per year to 30,289. The number of disability complaints filed directly with the department also rose from 511 to 944 during that period. Those increases occurred as the number of passengers grew from 746 to 806 million.<br/>
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US: Disability complaints to airlines doubled in a decade, GAO finds
The number of complaints against airlines from disabled travelers doubled in a decade to more than 30,000 in a year, according to a federal watchdog report Wednesday. But 12 carriers studied each demonstrated they have repeated training programs for helping passengers with disabilities, according to the Government Accountability Office. Airlines provide a combination of classroom and computer-based training. The training typically includes an eight-hour class with lessons in handling wheelchairs and assisting with boarding, according to the 34-page GAO report required by a law last year governing the Federal Aviation Administration. "Airlines place a high priority on meeting the needs of all passengers and regularly invest in training programs and processes, new and improved technologies and customer support staff to accommodate passengers with disabilities," said Kathy Grannis Allen, spokeswoman for Airlines for America, a trade group representing most of the largest carriers. "A4A and our members will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to ensure that our customers are provided with any support necessary and the highest levels of customer service." Since 2005, the department investigated 51 cases involving disabilities, according to GAO. From 2005 through 2015, GAO found the number of disability complaints filed with airlines grew from 13,584 per year to 30,289. The number of disability complaints filed directly with the department also rose from 511 to 944 during that period. Those increases occurred as the number of passengers grew from 746 to 806 million.<br/>
