Low cost airline easyJet has come under fire from disability campaigners after preventing thousands of disabled people from boarding its flights.

The airline has steadfastly refused to allow on board any one piece wheelchair which weighs more than 60kg without batteries, a cut off which has angered Trailblazer, a muscular dystrophy campaign group, who state that the average weight of such a chair is 100kg.

In their regulations easyjet stipulate that larger chairs will be allowed on board if they can be dismantled into constituent parts of 60kg or less but that larger frames will not be accepted for travel.

Defending their stance easyJet claim the restriction is needed to ensure baggage handlers are not subjected to strains above health and safety rules as they lack the necessary lifting equipment which long haul carriers have access to.

Attempting to mitigate any potential PR fallout an easyJet spokesperson confirmed that the carriers publicity had now been updated to more clearly articulate the weight restrictions to passengers.