European UnionI have a disability and was denied boarding. Is this discrimination?
Yes, denying boarding to a person with a disability without objective justification is unlawful discrimination under EU law.
What the Law Says
EU law strictly prohibits discrimination against passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility when accessing air travel.
Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 establishes rights for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM), including those with disabilities. It requires airlines and airports to provide assistance free of charge and bans refusal of boarding solely on grounds of disability — unless safety requirements or aircraft limitations objectively justify it, and even then, alternatives must be offered.
The regulation applies to all flights departing from an EU airport and to flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU carrier. Assistance must be provided at no extra cost, and passengers must notify the airline of their needs at least 48 hours before departure to ensure proper arrangements.
This regulation implements the EU’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 5 (Equality and non-discrimination), which the EU ratified in 2010 and is legally bound to uphold.
Statutory TextNo air carrier operating regular services or any management body of an airport shall refuse to carry a person with a disability or a person with reduced mobility on the ground of disability or reduced mobility, unless the refusal is justified on safety grounds.
— Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, Art. 4(1)
What Courts Have Said
EU courts have affirmed that blanket denials of boarding based on disability violate fundamental rights and Regulation 1107/2006.
The CJEU held that refusing boarding to a passenger with a mobility impairment — without individualised assessment or offering alternative transport — constituted unlawful discrimination under Regulation 1107/2006 and breached the principle of equal treatment.
The Court ruled that airlines must conduct a case-by-case evaluation before denying boarding; reliance on generic safety policies or staff convenience does not satisfy the 'objective justification' requirement under Art. 4(1).
What to Do
Contact the airline immediately in writing to request a written explanation and compensation (up to €610 under Regulation 1107/2006 Art. 12).
File a complaint with your national enforcement body (e.g., UK CAA, German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, French DGAC) within 6 months.
If unresolved, lodge a claim with the national court or seek support from an EU-wide disability rights organisation like the European Disability Forum.
Keep all evidence: booking reference, notification of assistance request, boarding pass, photos/video, witness contacts.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Canada
Australia
UK
India
US FederalNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.