Paralympic champion backs plans to fine airlines which fail disabled travellers

A Paralympic champion has said plans to fine airlines that fail disabled travellers are a "significant opportunity" to improve flying experiences for wheelchair users.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, whose wheelchair was previously lost on a flight, told the House of Lords that "everything's just a little bit too ad hoc" when disabled passengers try to seek help or compensation for damaged equipment.

The Bill, which was backed at its second reading , would introduce new rules on flights, lost luggage and price transparency.

Aviation Minister Keir Mather said it would "modernise" UK aviation and strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority's enforcement powers.

On Tuesday, Baroness Grey-Thompson described how her wheelchair was lost on a Geneva to Birmingham flight and later returned "several weeks" later via Dublin in "two pieces".

The Welsh independent crossbencher said: "When it became clear my chair was not there, I was asked by a member of staff, had I ever tried to walk?

"The airline tried then to return two sleeping bags to me and argue with me that was my lost property, even though they were clearly tagged to a different airport and another name."

When her wheelchair finally returned, she said: "It had literally been cut in half and it was suggested that I might like to try and duct tape it back together, which didn't work."