Tor Korsvold, a 17-year-old with a rare muscle disease, was unable to attend a festival in Romania after an airline failed to accommodate his wheelchair. Despite prior assurances, the airline's lack of proper equipment forced him to miss the event, leaving him feeling discriminated against.
Teen's Festival Dreams Dashed by Airline's Wheelchair Mishap
Teen's Festival Dreams Dashed by Airline's Wheelchair Mishap
Tor Korsvold, 17, was already seated on the plane when he was informed that due to deficiencies in the cargo area, he could not bring his wheelchair.
Seventeen-year-old Tor Korsvold lives with the rare congenital muscle disease Pompe's and is therefore completely dependent on a wheelchair. One of his greatest interests is traveling, and he is well-versed in the requirements for flying with a wheelchair.
Together with his friends, he was set to fly to Romania on Tuesday to attend the Beach, Please! festival, featuring world-renowned rappers and hip-hop artists like Asap Rocky, 21 Savage, and Yung Thug.
Using his own savings, Tor booked the trip and informed the airline well in advance about the electric wheelchair he needed to bring on the flight.
The airline responded that there would be no issues.
At Arlanda, everything went smoothly—Tor, his assistant, and the wheelchair were properly checked in, and airport staff assisted him in transferring from the wheelchair to the airplane seat.
Cargo Area Deficiencies on the Plane
However, after a while, baggage staff approached Tor's seat and explained that the airline had removed the rings used to secure heavy items. As a result, the wheelchair could not be transported on the flight, and Tor was given the choice to fly without the wheelchair or leave the plane.
"Due to my illness, I cannot be without the special neck support that the wheelchair provides, so we had to leave the plane," he told Expressen.
At Arlanda, they sought help from the Romanian airline Animawings and were told to email their case. The airline responded that they would get back within 30 working days but have yet to do so.
Tor and his assistant returned home from Arlanda without compensation or assistance from the airline.
"Feels Discriminated Against"
Now, Tor Korsvold follows the festival through glimpses of his friends' videos from home in Sweden.
"It feels really disappointing and a bit sour; I've been looking forward to this for months, and they said beforehand that it would be fine. I feel a bit discriminated against," says Tor Korsvold.
Expressen has reached out to Animawings for a comment.