Overview
- The Italian Powerchair Football national team was prevented from boarding at Rome Fiumicino on Monday after EasyJet said an Airbus A320 could carry only five wheelchairs, leaving the delegation unable to reach a preparatory tournament in Glasgow.
- The Federazione Italiana Paralimpica Powerchair Sport says it obtained formal authorization from EasyJet in April and reconfirmed plans by certified mail before departure, but airline staff at the gate reversed course and proposed splitting the group and forwarding equipment on a different flight.
- EasyJet issued a statement expressing regret, opened an internal investigation, and said it is in contact with the players while the Comitato Italiano Paralimpico has announced it will pursue remedies in the appropriate forums.
- Government officials and regulators reacted strongly: Sport Minister Andrea Abodi called the episode 'of extreme gravity' and ENAC has opened inquiries to determine whether the carrier breached rules and whether sanctions are warranted.
- The CIP estimates more than €20,000 in direct losses for the federation and says the decision produced human and sporting harm by denying athletes their mobility aids and disrupting World Championship preparations, highlighting gaps between airline procedures and disability rights.