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A new regulation is set to come into effect in Europe this week that will ease the travelling process for disabled people.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority were at London City airport today (23 July) to outline the measures.

Set to take effect from 26 July, the regulation will mean that airports in EU countries have to provide services helping disabled people to board, disembark and transfer between flights.

The initiative will also apply to people with reduced mobility, such as a person with a broken leg, and is set to help up to 15m travellers.

Ms Winterton said: 'This is a major step in ensuring that disabled people and those with reduced mobility have the same access to the standards and services that everyone expects when they fly.

'We expect all airlines and airports to maintain these high standards and for strong action to be taken against anyone repeatedly breaking the regulations across Europe.'

The new regulation is the second stage of measures to protect disabled passengers flying through Europe. Last year, it became illegal for airlines, travel agents or tour operators to refuse a booking on the grounds of disability.

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