The Equality Authority has welcomed the settlement of a complaint involving the carriage of guide dogs by air.
In December 2004 Ms Birte Schulz, who is visually impaired, planned to travel from Ireland to Germany and back with her Irish guide dog. She had booked a flight with Hapag-Lloyd Express, and emailed the airline to give them prior notice that her guide dog would be travelling with her but was subsequently informed that they would not carry the guide dog for quarantine reasons.
Ms Schulz said that her guide dog had had all necessary vaccinations and blood tests and had a valid pet passport. Ms Schulz had been given specific written authorisation from the Department of Agriculture that she could bring her guide dog back into Ireland and a vet was organised to check the documentation in Dublin Airport. However, the airline wrote that due to the problem of travel regulations for animals into and out of countries such as Ireland, the UK and Sweden, they felt compelled to deny the transport of animals into and out of those countries. They went on to say that even where all preparations are made and a guide dog complies with the latest health requirements and regulations, they could not allow the transport of dogs (including guide dogs) because, it was not possible for them to check whether the documents presented to them were correct.
Ms Schulz wrote to the Equality Authority for advice and a complaint was subsequently referred to the Equality Tribunal in April 2005 alleging discrimination on grounds of disability in breach of the Equal Status Acts. The complaint was recently assigned to an Equality Officer for investigation and the company then proposed settlement terms on the basis that they had changed their rules and procedures. The company stated that they now carry guide dogs to all destinations if the legal requirements are fulfilled in each single case and the necessary documentation is presented to the airline.
Niall Crowley, Chief Executive Officer of the Equality Authority said “this settlement is important in highlighting that barriers to people with disabilities travelling by air should be removed. Guide dogs are essential mobility aids and refusal to carry them compromises the independence of their owners. All airlines should urgently review their current policies and practices and remove any remaining restrictions for people with disabilities to ensure that they comply fully with the Equal Status Acts and European law”.
As of 26th July 2008 air carriers are obliged under European Regulation to carry recognised assistance dogs in the cabin subject to national regulations.
Although Hapag-Lloyd Express no longer flies into Ireland, they acknowledge that they cannot refuse to carry guide dogs when the necessary procedural requirements have been met.
ENDS