A kick in the leg for O'Leary.

Written by Riviera Reporter

New Airport access measures for the handicapped.

In the airline industry the lowest denominator are the low cost carriers who weren't properly catering for handicapped passengers because they get in the way of making money. Until now, wheelchair-pushers were provided by the airlines at their expense -- or in the case of some low cost carriers, at the handicapped person's expense.

New EU rules that come into effect on July 28 mean that it's the airport that must now provide this service which is financed by a small tax on everyone's ticket. Seems reasonable enough and the tax is hardly noticable in the great scheme of things. 65 people are employed to assist the handicapped at Nice.

Last year only 50,000 of the 10 million passengers through Nice-C�te d'Azur required assistance but Passenger Department Head Michel Rinaldi says that the need is increasing because more people are travelling in their later years. Assistance is also given to people who are temporarily handicapped by injury or illness, pregnant women and patients in convalescence after an operation.

Unlike in the past, wheelchair-bound travellers can request to be collected from special shelters outside the terminal buildings in the car parks or on the pavement at the taxi drop-off area.

In all cases the service is free but the traveller should plan ahead by advising his airline at least 48 hours before his flight or by completing the form on the airport website. He can then be collected from one of the outside points which are equipped with parlophones so he can annonce his arrival, or from a designated area inside the terminal, or from his airline's counter if he is able to get to it on his own. It's also possible to arrange for a wheelchair by calling 0820 423 333 (0033 4 898 898 28 from overseas). The line functions 24/7.