In a landmark ruling, the Appeal Court has found that both budget airline Ryanair and Stansted airport are responsible for providing a free wheelchair service to disabled travellers.

The ruling – which will have an impact on every airport and airline in Britain – follows a protracted court battle between a disabled man, Bob Ross, and Ryanair.

The case began in February 2002, when 54-year-old Ross – who has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth – required a wheelchair to get through Stansted airport and was forced to pay twice to enable him to get to and from his flights at the airport.

The case was first brought in January 2004 by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) on behalf of Mr Ross. The judge ruled that Ryanair’s behaviour was unlawful and awarded compensation to Mr Ross.

While the ruling that Ryanair had behaved unlawfully was overturned by the Court of Appeal last month, its judges nonetheless found that both airline and airport are responsible for ensuring disabled passengers can move from the check-in desk to the aircraft.

The DRC knows of 30 other disabled people who were similarly charged for a wheelchair.

Chair of the Disability Rights Commission, Bert Massie, said: “This decision sends a signal to every airport and airline that disabled people will no longer put up with second class service.”