Andy Allen: Disabled UUP politician 'frustrated' over airport lift

A Northern Ireland politician, who is a wheelchair user, was left frustrated after his plane took off without him, because there was no lift to assist him onto the aircraft in Birmingham Airport.

Andy Allen, an Ulster Unionist Party MLA, told BBC News NI he was due to get on an Aer Lingus flight to Belfast City on Sunday but could not board.

Mr Allen, a former soldier, was 19 when he was injured by a bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2008.

Mr Allen said that he sat on the tarmac ready to depart, and was later informed that there was a request for his luggage to be taken off the plane and that the plane was leaving without him.

He was then brought back into the terminal.

The airport provided a hotel for the night and he has been put on a flight on Monday.

The airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the issue was due to "technical issues" and the matter would be fully investigated.

However Mr Allen said that accessibility for disabled customers must be improved.

Mr Allen explained that the issue was not that he missed his flight but that he did so because he was a wheelchair user.

"In society as a whole there are things that need to be improved for disabled people, to ensure disabled people can play a full part I society and we aren't prevented from being able to do so," he told BBC News NI.

"It's devastating," he said.

"How many other people have experienced it that haven't felt they've been able to speak, that's why I felt it was important to call it out," he added.

He said there was an issue with special assistance at the airport.

"I'm not asking for special treatment, just a level playing field," he added.

Former UUP leader Dough Beattie said it was "appalling".

A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said that the airport works "closely with our assisted travel provider, Mitie, to deliver the highest possible customer service to all our passengers."

"Unfortunately, on this occasion due to technical issues, Mr Allen experienced a delay. We will fully investigate this matter. Mr Allen has been rebooked on a flight for tomorrow and a hotel is being arranged for him and his travel companion for this evening.

"We apologise to Mr Allen for any inconvenience."