AirAsia – Now Everyone Can Fly – Betulkah?
At LCCT-KLIA before the protest.
Photo by Wuan.
Fifty disabled persons gathered at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at KLIA today to protest against the discriminatory policy imposed by AirAsia to refuse carriage for people who cannot walk. The demonstration was organised by the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) which comprises 18 NGOs representing an estimated 10,000 disabled persons in Malaysia.
People who need special assistance are barred from booking with AirAsia online.
Puchasers were asked to declare if they needed special assistance and if needed they were barred from booking tickets online with Air Asia and were instructed to book through the call centre. Representatives at AirAsia’s call centre would refuse to sell tickets to people who cannot walk – admitting that it was the budget airline’s company policy to refuse carriage to persons who cannot walk and climb up the stairs to the plane.
BEAT protest at LCCT against AirAsia’s discriminatory policy against disabled person.
Photo by Wuan.
Disabled persons want equal access to fly with AirAsia. We should not be denied service based on our physical conditions. The reason given was that the airline lacks manpower to assist those with reduced mobility. Instead of giving that excuse AirAsia should make arrangements to increase its staff strength for flights booked by passengers who have informed the airline of their need for mobility assistance.
BEAT protest at LCCT against AirAsia’s discriminatory policy against disabled person/
Photo by Wuan.
In the press statement issued after the protest, BEAT called on Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi to eliminate all forms of discriminatory practices such as those committed by AirAsia and to protect the rights and dignity of disabled persons in Malaysia. We have been marginalised, ignored and discriminated against for far too long. We also hope AirAsia will seriously reconsider removing the unfair conditions imposed upon disabled persons desiring to fly with it.
More images:
BEAT protest at LCCT against AirAsia’s discriminatory policy against disabled person.
Photo by Wuan.
Press conference after BEAT’s protest against AirAsia at LCCT-KLIA.
Photo by Wuan.
BEAT members holding the placards for press photographers again.
Photo by Wuan.
Under the watchful eyes of security personnel at the LCCT-KLIA.
Photo by Wuan.
Tags: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, airlines discrimination against disabled people
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July 16th, 2007 at 23:04
I hope the relevant parties will hear your cries =)
Peter:
Thank you.
July 17th, 2007 at 00:42
Always asking for special rights eh ?
Peter:
Who is asking for special rights? What are special rights? If asking not to be discriminated against based on disability is considered a special right, then you and I have different concepts what rights are. Please go read up the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
October 16th, 2007 at 22:38
Your blog is really an AWAKENING site for people who has discrimintation on the people with disabilities. I think people can’t imagine how difficult it is for a people with disabilities to integrate to the society with so much barriers!!
Peter:
Bit by bit we slowly chip away the ignorance.
February 12th, 2008 at 01:15
[...] about what cnuts Air Asia are, did you know they also refuse to sell tickets to disabled people. AirAsia – Now Everyone Can Fly – Betulkah? | Peter Tan – The Digital Awakening Wow, that is shocking, and discriminatory. Nice to see them fighting for their rights though. [...]
April 14th, 2008 at 13:52
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