EasyThere was no space for wheelchairs on the Easyjet plane, they told us at the end: Paralympic football team stuck at airport, storm breaks out

The Italian national team for powerchair football was denied boarding a flight to Scotland and remained stranded at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after EasyJet reportedly refused to accommodate the athletes' wheelchairs on board. The incident has sparked outrage, with the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) condemning the situation as a serious violation of human dignity and sporting values. The team had been scheduled to travel to Glasgow for an international tournament ahead of the upcoming World Championships in Argentina, but their journey was abruptly halted due to logistical issues involving the transportation of six specialized wheelchairs. According to the CIP, the Italian Federation of Powerchair Football (FIPPS) had obtained formal approval from EasyJet as early as April to transport six athletes along with both their daily mobility wheelchairs and six game-specific chairs. Despite this confirmation and a follow-up email sent by the federation prior to departure, the airline informed the delegation at 10:15 a.m., just before the scheduled departure time of 11:55 a.m., that the aircraft, an Airbus A320—could only carry five wheelchairs. This decision left the entire team unable to board the flight, despite having received assurances weeks earlier. Marco Giunio De Sanctis, president of the CIP, described the incident as a disgrace that reflects a backward step in terms of human rights and social progress. He emphasized that the wheelchairs are not mere accessories or cumbersome luggage but essential extensions of the athletes’ bodies. De Sanctis criticized EasyJet for initially reassuring the federation and later abandoning the team at the airport with what he called absurd solutions, including splitting the team and sending some wheelchairs on a different flight to Edinburgh instead of Glasgow. He also expressed frustration over the possibility of the airline not compensating the team for the incurred losses. The CIP highlighted the multifaceted impact of the incident, noting a triple damage: personal, as the athletes who traveled from across Italy were forced to abandon their dream of wearing the Italian jersey in Scotland; athletic, since the preparation for the upcoming World Championships has been compromised; and financial, with costs exceeding 20,000 euros for lost tickets, accommodations, and logistics. The committee urged immediate intervention from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) to investigate EasyJet's direct responsibilities and establish clear standards for accessible and inclusive air transport. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of current regulations regarding the transportation of assistive devices on commercial flights. While airlines are generally required to accommodate passengers with disabilities, specific guidelines for transporting multiple wheelchairs remain unclear. The CIP is calling for stronger enforcement of existing laws and the creation of more comprehensive policies to ensure that such situations do not occur again. The organization plans to escalate its concerns through official channels and will continue to advocate for the rights of athletes with disabilities. In response to the controversy, EasyJet has yet to provide a detailed statement addressing the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, the company’s handling of the situation has drawn sharp criticism from disability advocates and sports organizations, who argue that the incident underscores systemic failures in ensuring accessibility in air travel. As the debate continues, the focus remains on resolving the immediate consequences for the affected athletes and preventing similar occurrences in the future.