An individual who required a wheelchair to get around has alleged that he was removed from a Qatar Airways plane and abandoned due to his impairment.
Man In Wheel Chair With Spina Bifida Was Prevented From Travelling On Qatar Airways By Himself
On Monday, 5th December 2022, Craig Nolan, aged 43, was getting ready to board a plane departing from Melbourne and going to Finland, his home country, when he claims that an airline representative informed him he was not allowed to journey by himself.
Nolan, who is living with spina bifida, expressed his annoyance with the airline preventing him from returning in order to see his partner in Helsinki. Spina bifida is an abnormality of the spine where the spine and spinal cord fail to form correctly in the uterus, leading to a gap in the vertebrae.
Therefore, it was vital that Craig’s journey was not complicated by outside matters. And yet, that experience has left him with some trauma. In his comments, he said: “It was absolutely discrimination because there is no justified reason [for the airline] throwing me off the flight.
“[They told me] you are travelling as a disabled person alone, which we don’t allow.” According to reports, Nolan informed the airline during check-in that he was flying solo and would require usage of his wheelchair.
He was then taken to the plane with an aisle chair, which is employed to help passengers with limited mobility move to their seats and also use the lavatories. After that, a staff member asked Nolan if he needed anything. And then ten minutes later, another staff member told him he couldn’t fly unaccompanied.
This was the first time he encountered difficulties due to the wheelchair. Bridget Mullahy, who happens to be a friend of Nolan, was left outraged by the incident. She stated: “To think that something as simple as travelling back to Finland – a trip he’s done so many times before – and then this happens on his home turf?
“It’s unacceptable.” So there you have it folks. What did you think about this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. If you liked reading this article, then check out our other features on the Daily Soap Dish. Please also visit The Over Timer for all of the latest exciting news on all of your favorite daytime.
