Passengers with Reduced Mobility

Definitions

In connection with an air journey passengers with reduced mobility include all those who, because of their physical medical or mental conditions cannot be treated like other passengers in normal health conditions.

Сonditions of carriage

Acceptance is linked to the following factors:

• Condition of the passenger
• Maximum limitation per aircraft
• Special equipment needed
• Onward interline transportation involved.

Before confirming transportation to passengers with reduced mobility, involving interline transportation the Reservation Department or agent in contact with such persons shall ensure that all airlines concerned have specifically agreed to participate in their carriage.

Generally, passengers with reduced mobility must report for check –in well before the check –in deadline published in the respective timetables, in order to process all requirements.

The passengers with reduced mobility check-in time shall be at least:

• for individual passengers with reduced mobility - 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure;
• for groups/parties of passengers with reduced mobility - 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

Passengers with reduced mobility may take a wheelchair, crutches, braces or their aid device free of charge.

To allow sufficient time for proper arrangements, the booking request must reach the reservation department:

• not later than 72 hours before departure for stretcher passengers;
• not later than 24 hours before departure for other passengers with reduced mobility.

Passengers with reduced mobility shall be pre-boarded to aircraft.

Normally, passengers with reduced mobility are divided into 2 categories:

• medical cases - is a passenger with reduced mobility for whom medical clearance is required.
• non-medical cases – no medical clearance is required.

Non- medical cases (not need for MEDIF form)

Medical clearance is not required for those passengers who only need special assistance in the airport and/or for embarkation.

Non-medical cases include:

• deaf passengers;
• blind passengers;
• elderly passengers;
• expectant mothers in normal health, up to 36 weeks (8 months) of pregnancy (i.e. until 4 weeks before expected delivery);
• passengers who need for a wheelchair is not a result of a medical condition (e.g. need for wheelchair because of old age, comfort, etc.).

Medical cases (need for MEDIF form)

Prior clearance shall always be requested for such passengers with reduced mobility as those:

• passengers whose conduct, mental status or physical condition may render them incapable of caring for themselves without assistance or who might be a risk to themselves, to other persons or to the safety of the flight;
• stretcher cases;
• passengers who suffer from any disease which is believed to be contagious and could be passed on to other passengers, cabin crew and handling personal on board;
• passengers needing medical attention, extra oxygen or other medical equipment on board;
• expectant mothers, if delivery is expected within the time period of 4 weeks before expected delivery;

NOTE: In case of doubt about the real expected date of delivery, bad state of health during the pregnancy or when more than one infant is expected the prior clearance shall be requested in earlier time period than 36 weeks.

• babies under the age of 7 days;
• persons with arms and/or legs in casts or splints.

MEDIF form - Medical Information/Handling Advice

Airlines have agreed to a standard of IATA Resolution 700 - MEDIF form (Medical Information/Handling Advice) which is used always when the passenger's itinerary includes transportation on other carriers' flights. UIA as well as most carriers require the form to be used by on-line passengers as well.

The MEDIF form is used as a basis for medical clearance and to decide the conditions of transportation of the passenger.

When the MEDIF form is used (either on a printed form or computer display), part 1 of the form shall be completed by the selling office in contact with the passenger and signed by the passenger or on his behalf. A copy shall be attached to the passenger's ticket.

Whenever medical data are required, part 2 of the MEDIF shall be completed by the attending physician. The data in part 2 shall not be made known to unauthorized parties.

To allow sufficient time for proper arrangements UIA requires MEDIF form to be submitted at least 72 hours before departure.

Approval for air travel for UIA flights is given by the contracted Medical Center based on an account of the passenger's physical condition and special requirements.

A medical clearance is only valid for the flight(s) and date(s) specified on the clearance.

Clearance granted is only valid in normal circumstances. If a serious deterioration of the medical condition took place in between the time of clearance and the actual flight, new clearance must be requested.

Medical clearance by phone is not permitted.

Private escort

Passengers with reduced mobility needing prior medical clearance (MEDIF form) must be accompanied by person not under the age of 18.

Escort may not travel on a seat available basis.

Denial of carriage

UIA shall refuse to carry or continue to carry:

• Persons whose condition is such that the trip is likely to result in complications or death.
• Persons requiring individual nursing or care during flight, if not accompanied by a suitable escort.
• Persons who are malodorous because of their condition or who have other unpleasant characteristics likely to offend fellow passengers.
• Persons who, because of their physical or medical condition, might be a threat to the safety of other passengers, their property, the aircraft or crew.
• Persons suffering from a contagious disease.
• Expectant mothers, if delivery is expected within 7 days.
• Mothers with babies under the age of 7 days.

One or more of these criteria might lead to refusal – even if they received a valid medical clearance.

Stretchers

The booking request for STCR must reach the reservation department preferably 72 hours before departure. Later request does not guarantee the confirmation of the transportation.

Passengers who can be transported only on stretchers can be accepted for transportation on UIA aircraft provided free seats are available on flight.

The stretcher passenger and the escort persons must have confirmed booking status.

A doctor and an attendant competent to provide whatever attention is required must always accompany all stretcher cases.

The requirements for the stretcher passenger’ escort must be noted in MEDIF form.

A passenger on a stretcher, either adult or child, will be accepted, subject to payment of the following special fare:

• Stretcher passenger: 6 adult normal fares.
• Accompanying attendant(s): the normal applicable fare(s) of the same class as the stretcher passenger.

The passenger is entitled to carry the normal free baggage allowance for each fare paid.

Wheelchairs

A passenger’s own wheelchair is accepted free of charge.

Wheelchairs shall only be accepted as checked baggage.

The wheelchair of any type must be named labeled.

If “Delivery at aircraft” service is applied the wheelchair is used up until boarding, loaded into aircraft baggage compartment and again be returned to the passenger when disembarking, i.e. at the aircraft stairs or at the loading bridge (Attention! This service is not available in airport Gatwick (London Great Britain!)).

An interline reservation may not be confirmed to a passenger with a wheelchair, and such wheelchair may not be checked for interline carriage unless prior confirmation has been received from all airlines participating in the itinerary that they will accept the wheelchair for transportation on their flights.

To ensure flight safety and to prevent damages to aircraft, wheelchairs shall only be accepted as checked baggage, provided the following is complied with.

Non-spillable batteries (Dry cell battery powered wheelchair)

According to IATA/ICAO Dangerous Goods Regulations, the dry cell battery powered wheelchairs may be accepted for carriage with their batteries, provided that

• the battery is disconnected;
• the terminals are insulated to prevent accidental short circuits;
• and the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair.

Spillable batteries (Wet cell battery wheelchair – WCBW)

Wheelchairs powered by spillable batteries may be accepted for carriage, provided

• the wheelchair can be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright positions and
• the battery is disconnected,
• the terminals insulated to prevent short circuits,
• the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair.

If a wheelchair powered by a spillable battery cannot be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright position, the battery must be removed and the wheelchair may then be carried as checked baggage without restriction.

The removed battery must be carried in a strong, rigid, outside packaging as follows:

• the outside packaging must be leak-tight, impervious to battery fluid and be protected against upset by securing in cargo compartments using appropriate means of securement (other than by bracing with freight or baggage) such as by use of restraining straps, brackets or holders;
• batteries must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in the outside packaging and surrounded by compatible absorbent material sufficient to absorb their total liquid contents;

Manual power folding wheelchair – WCMP

Manual power folding wheelchair is accepted for carriage as checked baggage without any special limitations.

Passengers requiring a leg rest

A leg rest device is not available on UIA flights and the requests for this service shall not be confirmed.

Deaf/Blind passengers

Passengers travelling with little or many children are entitled to be assisted in departure/transfer/arrival airports and can be accompanied by service animals. See the service animals’ conditions of carriage in following chapters:
Live animals carriage and Service animals.

Supplementary oxygen

Supplementary oxygen for therapeutic reasons is not provided on UIA flights.

Individual requests upon limited in-flight use of medical oxygen according to recommendations stated in MEDIF form could be confirmed provided prior agreement on technical possibility of application was obtained.

According to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations only one private oxygen or air, gaseous, small cylinder required for medical use (not exceeding 5 kg gross weight) is permitted for one person to transport on board an aircraft as checked baggage or carry-on baggage provided prior confirmation has been received from UIA.

Liquid oxygen systems are forbidden for transport.

Oxygen bottles may not be used during take-off and landing.

Oxygen bottles can be used during the flight under the UIA cabin crew control.