BBC News
22 September 2024

A Northern Ireland politician, who is a wheelchair user, was left frustrated after his plane took off without him, because there was no lift ready to assist him onto the aircraft in Birmingham Airport.

Andy Allen, an Ulster Unionist Party MLA, told BBC News NI he was due to get on an Aer Lingus flight to Belfast City Airport on Sunday but could not board.

Allen, a former soldier, was 19 when he was injured by a bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008.

He said that he sat on the tarmac ready to depart, and was later informed that there was a request for his luggage to be taken off the plane and that the plane was leaving without him.

He was brought back into the terminal.

The airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue was due to "technical issues" and the matter would be fully investigated.

However, Allen said that accessibility for disabled customers must be improved.

He explained that the issue was not that he missed his flight but that he did so because he was a wheelchair user.

Read on: Wales | Latest News & Updates | BBC News

 

Not a member?
Take a look at our member benefits