1. People with disabilities or reduced mobility and the elderly: nearly one European in five may need special assistance for travelling or communicating. If this is your case, European regulations lay down a number of measures applicable at every European Union airport to guarantee that you have equal access to air transport

without discrimination and at no additional cost.

2. No one can refuse your booking or your right to board because of your disability or

mobility problem. The only exceptions allowed concern potential safety issues justified by a national or international regulation or a technical impossibility, such as the limited size of the aircraft.

3. Whatever means you use to book your flight, if you wish to receive special assistance you should notify your specific needs at least 48 hours before departure.

4. Please arrive at the airport within the prescribed time limit before departure and check in at one of the contact points. This may be, as here, a call terminal, a reception desk or the airline's check-in counter. This is where the person responsible for assisting you will come to meet you.

5. If you wish, this person will help you with the check-in formalities.

For flights departing from the European Union, except in cases of technical impossibility, and provided 48 hours' advance notice is given, airlines are obliged to transport your medical equipment and two pieces of mobility equipment at most, such as a wheelchair, crutches, at no extra cost.

6. If need be, the same person will then accompany you to the boarding gate to assist you with the control procedures.

7. Just like any other passenger, you may use the facilities available in the airport.

8. Assistance will always be adapted to your degree of mobility.

9. At boarding time, you will embark before the other passengers with the appropriate

assistance for your needs. Your mobility equipment will be placed in the baggage hold for the flight.

10. During the flight, it is the crew's responsibility to assist you.

11. If required by your disability and notified in advance, your recognised guide dog may accompany you in the cabin.

12. Safety instructions will be communicated to you in an appropriate manner.

13. Finally, whether you are arriving at your final destination or transiting through an airport, another person will meet you when your flight lands to guide you to the passengers' exit. Prior notification is of the utmost importance. Obviously, if not notified in time, the agents concerned may only be able to provide limited assistance.

14. If you consider that these provisions have not been respected, you may bring the matter to the attention of the airport manager or the air carrier. If you are unsatisfied with their responses, you may lodge a complaint with the enforcement body in your country. That body's contact details as well as a detailed description of the Regulation can be found on the following website: http://apr.europa.eu

15. Have an excellent trip!