WestJet weight cap on energy wheelchairs leaves some Canadians grounded, advocates say

Vacationers and advocates say a rule at WestJet Airways that bars some energy wheelchairs from most of its planes discriminates towards individuals dwelling with a incapacity.

The Calgary-based airline states on its web site that mobility aids are capped at 300 kilos for the overwhelming majority of its plane, a restrict that guidelines out many energy wheelchairs.

After flying with WestJet for years, Manitoba resident and former MP Steven Fletcher says an airline agent instructed him they might not be capable of carry his wheelchair on a flight from Winnipeg to Toronto final February because of its weight.

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He says he was compelled to make use of a special wheelchair, inflicting ache and strain sores that required medical consideration.

In a response to a regulatory grievance filed by Fletcher, WestJet says it landed on the 300-pound restrict final 12 months after an engineering evaluation and that accessibility rules enable it to refuse transport of heavier mobility aids.

ARCH Incapacity Regulation Centre lawyer Devin Glim says the load restrict successfully denies entry to air journey for many customized energy wheelchair customers, with advocates noting that no different main North American airline maintains such a low cap for jets.