MOSCOW, November 15 - RAPSI. State Duma Vice Speaker Sergei Zheleznyak has promised to facilitate the adoption of amendments to the Air Code on transporting disabled individuals, the United Russia party has reported on its website on Thursday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court dismissed the Public Control In Action consumer rights protection society's lawsuit disputing a provision of the air transportation regulations, which, according to the applicant, allows airlines to refuse to board wheelchair-bound individuals. The society will appeal the Supreme Court ruling, Mikhail Anshakov, the society's representative, told RIA Novosti. Earlier, wheelchair-bound State Duma Deputy Vladimir Krupennikov said he was surprised by the ruling. He was previously involved in the incident when AirBerlin refused to board a delegation of wheelchair-bound individuals.
He said the court should have taken into account the recent amendments to the Air Code, which were adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.
He said the amendments underscore the necessity to render services to disabled individuals during air transportation and to provide for the technical means to allow these passengers on and off board. The amendments obligate both airports and airlines to render such services. Airlines should also have specially trained personnel based on the amendments, he said.
Zheleznyak stressed that he is determined to initiate amendments to the corresponding federal laws to ensure the observance of Russian citizens' rights.
"We will facilitate the adoption of the amendments to the Air Code, pursuant to which all airlines and airports will be obliged to create the necessary terms to transport disabled individuals," Zheleznyak said.