Man denied flight; told electric wheelchair battery posed risk to aircraft

Ken Harrower flew to Calgary from Toronto on Porter Airlines two weeks ago in his electric wheelchair. When he went to return home Sunday night, he was not allowed to board the plane.

Ken Harrower flew to Calgary from Toronto on Porter Airlines two weeks ago in his electric wheelchair. When he went to return home Sunday night, he was not allowed to board the plane.

The pilot said the battery on his wheelchair posed a risk to the aircraft.

"He said if I cannot disconnect my battery, he said I am considered a dangerous threat," Harrower said, "and he said no and he just walked away, and everybody else got on board and they left."

Harrower's wheelchair uses a non-spillable gel battery.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says passengers can have one non-spillable gel battery as well as one spare as carry-on.

IATA also says, "If the mobility aid is loaded in the aircraft with the batteries installed, the electrical circuits must be isolated by following the manufacturer's instructions."

Travellers are supposed to alert the airline they are travelling in an electric wheelchair, which Harrower's travel companion Erin Brandenburg says they did repeatedly.