Frontier Airlines CEO condemns misuse of wheelchair service by passengers

Many travelers are pretending to need wheelchair assistance, according to Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle. He mentioned this at a luncheon in New York. Biffle saw instances where 20 people asked for wheelchairs before a flight, but only three actually needed them later. This misuse of the service causes delays for those who genuinely require assistance. Biffle wants stricter penalties for those who abuse these services. Some travelers may need a wheelchair at a big airport but not at a smaller one. John Morris, a triple amputee and founder of WheelchairTravel.org, explained that disabilities affect people differently. He believes abusers should face consequences, but it can be challenging to identify invisible disabilities. Frontier Airlines has noticed an increase in people misusing wheelchair services to get priority boarding. This abuse causes problems for both the airline and security. Frontier suggests implementing a registration system and penalties for abusers. Southwest Airlines also faced a similar issue in the past, where passengers exploited the wheelchair policy to board early. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACCA) prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers with disabilities. Airlines like Frontier and Southwest aim to provide appropriate accommodations for all passengers. It's important to respect these services and not take advantage of them for personal gain.