All airlines, with the exception of Ryanair, up until yesterday anyway, absorb the cost of providing wheelchair assistance through the airports. To provide a passenger with wheelchair assistance at their departure airport, arrival airport and then at the departure and arrival airports on their return costs upward of £80GBP. This isn't a cost that is easily abosrbed. Some have made comments that BAA should pay the cost - how can they afford to do that on the 'rates and fees' that their low cost monopoly customers pay. No the customer shouldn't pay, neither should the airport - but still not sure about the 50p/p/p levy - publicity i'm sure!