A disabled man was denied the chance to board a flight from Belfast to London Gatwick to see his ill father, as his wheelchair repair kit was said to be a security risk.
Steve Smithers from Killinchy in Co Down who is paralysed from the chest down, was unable to get on the flight to visit his elderly father who is about to begin treatment for cancer.
“When I booked this trip, all I wanted to do was to get to see my seriously ill father. I have travelled extensively over the 11 years I have been paralysed and there have never been any problems which have prevented me from doing so independently.
“I have of course been been asked about my wheelchair equipment by security elsewhere but when I explained why I need to carry them, there has been no issue. This was in stark, and shocking contrast to the attitude of the security at Belfast International Airport yesterday where no distinction was made between my wheelchair tools and work tools, I was not given the opportunity to explain why I needed them nor were any alternative solutions made available to me, for example giving the spanners to the cabin crew,” he said.
“This meant I had no choice but to reluctantly abandon the trip as it became unsafe and unfeasible for me complete the journey. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident and we have been contacted by lots of people sharing similar experiences they have had when travelling through this airport, either with or as a disabled person,” he added.
Steve said, for disabled people it is not about asking for special treatment, but simply wanting the opportunity to live life as unimpaired by disabilities as is possible, and to be allowed to do so with dignity.
“On this occasion, it was particularly pertinent for me as this was the last opportunity I would have to see my father before he starts chemotherapy, but no disabled person should have to experience this, regardless of the circumstances for their trip.
“There has been such phenomenal support shown to us over social media that we want to use this as an opportunity to highlight the issues people with disabilities face on a regular basis,” he said.
Belfast International Airport has since apologised and said it will make a donation to a charity on Mr Smithers’ behalf.
The wheelchair kit contains several spanners and a wheel nut – Steve told the media that security staff claimed the spanners would be a security risk because they could be used to ‘dismantle the plane.’
Steve said security staff told him he would have to put his bag containing the tool kit – which also contained his catheter and diabetes medication – in the hold.
And he said when he suggested that he could hand the kit to the cabin crew until landing, security said this was not allowed.
Steve said he has travelled extensively over the past 11 years that he’s been paralysed and added that there have never been any problems preventing him from doing so independently.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Belfast International said it acknowledged Mr Smithers had a distressing experience at the airport security search point.
“As the treatment experienced by Mr Smithers during this process fell well below standards expected from security personnel, in order to remedy this, the airport will be immediately reviewing customer service and escalation procedures with our security provider ICTS,” it added.
