pollyvw

While not a seasoned European traveler, I was recently in an Italian airport and needed use of their wheelchair escorts. I was denied access because I did not have 'certification'. I am somewhat handicapped by shortness of breath which makes walking long distances difficult but I am not 'handicapped enough' for USA handicapped placards. Does anyone know what I need to use wheelchair escorts in European airports?

Bedar

Never heard of this “certification”. I,be made two trips using wheelchairs simply by alerting my airline that I needed them. No problem whatsoever.

janisj

You arrange with the airline for a wheel chair -- never heard of a 'certification' requirement. I temporarily needed wheel chairs in several airports last year and each time when I checked in I asked the agent to call for one and to request one at arrival at the next airport, and every time there was either a chair or motorized carts waiting for me.

StCirq

What janisj said. A few years ago I needed a wheelchair in a couple of European airports and on trains and just arranged them ahead of time with the airlines and the SNCF. No certification involved.

bilboburgler

You have right to a wheel chair in the EU, but, you have to give them reasonable notice. A few cheepo airlines tried and try to dodge this and put the customer onto the airport, who push it straight back, but if you say flying Ryanair in Sicily I might take a print of any emails.