This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On August 27, 2019, Harun M. Hassan, an author and Disability Rights Campaigner, took to social media to express his frustration after being denied boarding on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to the United States.
Hassan, who uses a wheelchair, claimed that the airline staff treated him insensitively and denied him assistance, leaving him stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
In a series of tweets, Hassan explained how the check-in staff refused to allow him to explain about his ticket, saying 'They left me alone and stranded with no options.'
He also alleged that a lady at the check-in counter was rude and insensitive, saying 'My first time with @flyethiopian and my first to be discriminated by an airline on the basis of my disability.'
After Hassan's complaints went viral, the airline responded, asking him to share his travel details for further investigation.
However, Hassan claimed that the airline later offered to fly him Business Class, but only if he deleted his tweets, which he declined.
Instead, Hassan opted to travel with a different airline, citing his commitment to respect and equality.
The incident has sparked allegations of disability discrimination against Ethiopian Airlines, which goes against the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) that prohibits such treatment.
