EasyJet fined in discrimination case

PARIS, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A French court has fined Britain's discount airline EasyJet $90,000 for refusing to allow passengers in wheelchairs to board flights without assistance.

The discrimination case was filed on behalf of three passengers who were denied boarding privileges in 2008 and 2009, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday.

While the airline denied it had any intent to discriminate, the prosecutor in the case, attorney Abdelkrim Grini, said the airline's "aggressive commercial policy" dictated its approach to persons in wheelchairs.

The airline, essentially, put profits ahead of people, he said.

By cutting back on staff to save money, the airline was effectively discriminating against persons who may need assistance in the event of an evacuation, the plaintiff's lawyers argued.

"This is an economic model that's being punished, that of low-cost. With cost reductions, the aim is to have as few personnel as possible," said attorney Patrick de la Grange.

The airline was ordered to compensate the three who were denied flights with payments of $2,500 each.

EasyJet attorney Pillippe Van der Meulen said, "The company denies having had any discriminatory intention whatsoever."

The airline was considering an appeal, Van der Meulen said.