A full-time wheelchair user has taken to social media to highlight "the struggle wheelchair-bound people have to deal with."
Wicklow man Adrian Keogh (37) posted a picture of himself crawling down the stairs of a Ryanair flight to his Instagram account on Saturday night (April 29th).
Adrian took a flight to Landvetter Airport outside Gothenburg in Sweden where he claims he paid extra for special assistance - which requires help through the airport and up and down the aircraft steps.
The aircraft arrived in Sweden at 11 pm when Adrian claims he was informed that it would be at least one hour before airport staff would have the lift available to assist him off the plane. Due to this, Adrian says he felt he had no other choice but to crawl down the steep metal steps of the plane.
According to Adrian's Instagram post, Landvetter Airport authorities blamed Ryanair. However, Adrian also claims that Ryanair blamed Landvetter for the incident.
"I am not looking for anything only the service I paid for and to be able to travel with dignity", Adrian explained.
He added: "I ask you to share this as much as you can to highlight the struggle wheelchair-bound people have to deal with."
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Adrain's Instagram post continued: "They especially didn't want us taking the picture. I am not looking for anything only the service I paid for and to be able to travel with dignity. I ask you to share this as much as you can to highlight the struggle wheelchair-bound people have to deal with."
Both Ryanair and Landvetter Airport authorities have responded since the incident went viral on social media.
Speaking to Sky News, a spokesperson from Ryanair noted that special assistance at the airport is managed by a third party and not the airline.
Ryanair said: "We regret that Landvetter Airport failed to provide special assistance to this passenger upon arrival at Landvetter on 29 Apr and we are working with Landvetter Airport to ensure this does not recur."
Landvetter Airport has since apologised to Adrain, stating that "due to some delays... there were more planes landing around the same time as your flight.
"With several booked assistants requirements, including yours, and a medical emergency simultaneously, caused a pushed [sic] forward. Your assistance service was not forgotten but delayed."
Additional reporting by Robbie Byrne
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