Although it was the quietest day of the year last Friday, a story came to light in which a blind passenger travelling to Malta was to be separated from her guide dog on the flight.
The Malta Guide Dogs Foundation issued a press release to say that a 30-year-old woman, travelling to Malta, was to be separated from her “eyes” for the duration of the flight.
A short time later, it became apparent that Air Malta, the national carrier, had decided to go ahead and let Catia Lima travel with her companion in the cabin. In fact, Air Malta said that it will soon be reviewing its policy on travelling guide dogs after EU regulations regarding the carriage of animals travelling by air came into effect on 26 July.
Air Malta did this without fanfare – the story surfaced from another source and the airline merely got on with it. Many might call it an act of good faith to allow the woman onto the plane with her dog last week – before the changes are made. It was, of course, the correct decision to make and Air Malta deserves kudos for prematurely bending its policy and giving this person peace of mind, security and sterling service. It was not an act of goodwill, a favour or charity; it was an act that allowed the woman to exercise her rights.
Air Malta acted in a way that every service provider should – it was the only decision that could be made with moral and commercial peace of mind.
Malta, unfortunately, is not among the best when it comes to accessibility – and this is exactly what the situation was: an issue of accessibility. Ms Lima was a paying customer and expected her needs to be attended to and, it must be said, Air Malta was a model of good practice.
This came about at a time when aviation fuel prices are critical to the operations of any airline and Air Malta also waived the excess baggage charge. If Air Malta had not allowed the dog in the cabin, Ms Lima would have had to rely on staff assistance only.
The Malta Commission for Persons with a Disability has been complaining for years about levels of accessibility in Malta and they are right too. We understand that parts of Malta pose a challenge to be accessible – churches, old museums, and the like – but more must be done.
Wheelchair access in the prime commercial areas of Sliema and Valletta as well as entertainment area Paceville are pitiful.
Of course, things have changed over the past few years and more attention is being paid to make sure that new developments are accessible to people with a disability. It must also be said that even some older buildings are being made more accessible – but surely more can be done. People who have a disability do not want to be pushed and ferried and guided around – they want to have access to the places they would like to visit.
If they are capable of taking a flight with a guide dog, or wheeling themselves into church – they should be given every possible opportunity to do so.
The government is trying to set the example by making its departments more accessible – but it could be high time to introduce a proper fully functioning inspectorate to really determine what is accessible and what is not and make relevant recommendations for change.
An “it will do” attitude is no longer acceptable in the year 2008. Well done Air Malta for showing the way forward.