Forgotten and stranded by a Ryanair flight. This is the mishap that befell five Sardinians, two of whom were seriously disabled, on 20 July at Bologna airport.
"My 9-year-old son, who is visually impaired and with cerebral palsy - reports Pasqualino Usai, from Sassari - had undergone tests at the Rizzoli hospital".
Once the visit is over, the three, including the mother of Antonio, the child's invented name, go to Guglielmo Marconi where they are accompanied to the room reserved for those who need assisted boarding, the so-called Pmr, people with reduced mobility. Maria Caterina Fadda, 67, from Codrongianos, with heart disease and unable to walk, accompanied by her husband, is also here.
The flight for them, towards Alghero, is scheduled for 11pm but here the unexpected happens. “Everyone embarked except us – says Fadda – and when they did it was too late”.
Because, transported with the shuttle right under the plane, they are rejected by the pilot, with the aircraft's doors already closed and the ladders withdrawn. “Then they make us wait over two and a half hours - Usai declares - in a room without air conditioning. My son was exhausted and terrified by the airport noise”.
At this point they ask a police officer to transcribe what was happening to them in a service note. Only at 2.20 in the morning does a taxi take them to the hotel and take them back to the Marconi at 7.30 in view of the 9.50 flight. “And the same thing happened, they forgot about us again.”
Once again all the passengers are boarded, even the prosecutors heading to Crotone 20 minutes later, all but them.
On this occasion, however, they protested with the staff who realized the mistake and rushed them under the plane, which was closed again and ready to take off.
"But in the end they let us in, saying they were waiting for us." However, the "happy" conclusion of the misadventure does not appease the anger of its victims.
"I will file a complaint - says the lady - I have already contacted a lawyer". “We too – adds Pasqualino Usai – are not interested in the compensation, we don't need their money. But everyone must know how they treat the disabled."
