MIA introduces tariff to cover services for disabled people

Paul Savona

Jun 18th 2008, 10:07

With figures from MIA website, revenue from this scheme should amount to €1.2M pa.

WOW

Lets say they have a crew of about 5 people per shift. 3 shifts a day. Total of 15 dedicated staff just for the disability service.

OK, lets say they get a semi-decent wage. €20,000 a year. Cost € 300,000. Overtime etc, plus €100. Comes to €400,000 for human resources. Generous.

Because the infrastructure is already there I cannot really see any other operating costs. But lets say another €200K for other stuff we do not see. Total €600,000. Leaving a balance of €600,000.

€65,000 was spent on infrastructure, signage and training. Obviously no specialist equipment was installed.

Where will the balance go? Does any excess become profits? Or does it all have to be spent on the disability function?

Personally I would like to see those little cars you see in other airports.

Any excess revenue generated from this on a yearly basis should go to a relevant charity or for the purchase of disability equipment for those who cannot afford it.

Robert Scullion

Jun 17th 2008, 23:34

Firstly the charge is legal as it's being applied to all passengers. The EU isn't imposing the charge (this is being done by MIA), but rather the EU ensures that when a charge of this nature is applied (be it at an airport, bus, train etc) it is fairly applied and doesn't discriminate one section of society over another.
Secondly the charge is only €0.46 and with 1,096,533 passenger movements (Jan-May 08 source MIA website) that would help bring in roughly an extra €1.2m per year in revenue. This should ensure properly trained staff to care for disabled passengers, and improving facilities.
Also I commend MIA for being upfront with the fee ... I'm sure they could've just increased the existing charges and nobody would've known. At least this way, eveybody can hold MIA to account if they fail to deliver.

A Daley

Jun 17th 2008, 19:06

Paul Savona, the service is according to EU, but not the charge.
Who needs the EU to get this service. Is that why we joined the EU to keep stating, the EU this and the EU that.

Those services were there before and given for free. If a disabled person is chrged then this goes against the regulations.
Disabled people MUST NOT be charged for a service from an establishment be it a restaurant or an airport. The service SHOULD BE FREE.

In short we are - farsa!

Franco Farrugia

Jun 17th 2008, 18:53

Absolutely disgusting! Where is the government in all this? Not only are fares going up, but MIA now forces each passenger to pay more ... for others, with respect. Can't the expenses be borne by MIA itself or by the Government?

mark sultana

Jun 17th 2008, 18:04

i agree that this info was not necessary. i also understand that a company could go to extra costs to offer special attention to those needing it. Once I will be paying for this service, can i please urge MIA to show respect and esteem to persons with disabilities who need special attention like not waiting in queues etc but do not need a wheelchair, not to force them to sit in one. thanks.

Mario (Marinton) Gauci

Jun 17th 2008, 17:41

Simply put.............. Disgusting!

L Galea

Jun 17th 2008, 17:11

Owners of public buildings are obliged to provide facilities for handicapped persons at their own expense. Witness how many instances can be found in the media of the relevant organization taking steps to have the situation in private and public places remedied to comply with the law.

MIA has no right to charge other persons for the services it is by law obliged to give to handicapped persons.

MIA scrooges, you shall not get away with it.

Joseph Attard

Jun 17th 2008, 16:46

What a shame! for crying out loud does this mean that these services were not there before, or is this the easiest way for MIA to collect any lost revenue.
What a disgrace ! What a shambles! Is this the Austrian way of integrating the disabled community! If it is theirs, its definately not ours.Shame on those who had the guts to come up with this farce!
MIA apologize !,and learn that human beings are all human beings!

Paul Savona

Jun 17th 2008, 15:59

To A. Daley,

Not being familiar with EU Regulations, could you elaborate? The article states that this system is in accordance to EU Regulations. Not that all articles are correct of course. Just curious as to what you are referring to.

Thanks.

Andrew De Gabriele

Jun 17th 2008, 15:41

What a shameful way to put it! Now we can all look at the disabled person or 'PRM' on our flight with the smug knowledge that they cost us an extra €0.46 and hopefully they will look back at us gratefully in return, right?. Honestly that's one fact I was not at all interested in knowing!

Anyone who needs special care or help has a right to it and it is obvious that the cost will be spread out over everybody now that MIA is improving its services because it was obliged to. But is there any need to spell it out in this way?

Maybe MIA can tell now us how many people with such special needs they have per flight so we can do the math and find out how much it costs for each one. I'm sure the public is more interested in knowing that, than why MIA is scaring away low cost airlines by being so much more expensive than comparable European airports!

Paul Barrett

Jun 17th 2008, 15:30

Is this "extra" service really going to cost MIA over Lm 1M per year or is this just another way of extracting money for a service which should be automatic and complimentary.

A Daley

Jun 17th 2008, 15:25

This goes against EU regulations and will soon have to be removed.

All other services indicated had been there for years.