EasyJet refused to allow a 14-year-old boy's wheelchair on board the airline, leaving him in tears after his dream Disneyland trip.
Anthony Higgins, who relies on the specially adapted wheelchair due to his severe disability, broke down in tears after the pilot refused to allow the battery on the easyJet service from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
The teenager's mother, 37-year-old Mellissa Higgins, had travelled to the French theme park with Anthony, her partner and their three other children on a trip arranged by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Anthony, known as AJ, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic condition that has robbed him of his ability to walk and severely weakened his upper body.
His mother described how his health is "deteriorating very fast" and explained that the power-assisted wheelchair, custom-built by Decon to meet his specific requirements, has become essential for all his daily activities.
The family's trip to the theme park had been arranged by Make-A-Wish, a charity that fulfils special experiences for seriously ill children.
Ms Higgins emphasised that the wheelchair represents her son's "lifeline", enabling him to maintain some independence despite his condition.
The confrontation occurred as the family prepared to board flight EZY2110 on August 29, when the pilot examined the battery Chris was carrying and declared it could not travel due to the absence of visible wattage markings.
EasyJet refused to allow a 14-year-old boy's wheelchair on board the airline, leaving him in tears after his dream Disneyland trip
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Ms Higgins said: "He said because it doesn't have the wattage displayed on it that we weren't allowed to take it on the flight, but I had all the relevant paperwork for the wheelchair and the battery with us."
Despite presenting documentation confirming the battery's flight safety, the wheelchair was not permitted.
The same battery had been accepted without issue on their outbound easyJet service from Manchester to Paris just days earlier, adding to the family's frustration.
Chris pleaded with airline personnel, explaining that without the battery, his son would lose all mobility, but ultimately the family had to abandon the equipment to board with their distressed children.
The family were on a trip to Disneyland Paris arranged by the Make-A-Wish Foundation
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Ms Higgings said: "We boarded and ended up leaving the battery because we had all our kids with us."
She added that the teenager now cannot attend school or medical appointments while his family attempts to raise £1,000 for a replacement battery through crowdfunding.
She added: "It just made no sense, all we wanted was to get our son home safely and now he has no wheelchair.
"That wheelchair was made specially for him to meet his specific needs, now my son can't get around anywhere. That wheelchair is his lifeline."
Ms Higgings said her 14-year-old son was reduced to tears over not being able to use his wheelchair when they returned to the UK.
An easyJet representative said the airline follows mandatory safety protocols for lithium batteries
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An easyJet representative said the airline follows mandatory safety protocols for lithium batteries, which require specific technical information for transport.
The company acknowledged the family's frustration and confirmed they are working to return the battery promptly.
A spokesperson for easyJet said: "Safety is easyJet’s highest priority and airlines must follow the safety regulations for the carriage of lithium batteries, which are allowed to travel on the aircraft as long as the required information for safe carriage can be provided, and we advise customers of these requirements ahead of travel.
"Unfortunately as the necessary information could not be provided for this battery, in line with safety procedures it was unable to travel.
"However we fully understand the frustration this will have caused and are in contact with the family to offer further assistance and arrange to return the battery to them as soon as possible."