Passenger kept from boarding after Jetstar’s refusal to assist with wheelchair makes discrimination complaint

Tony Jones is taking Jetstar to the human rights commission, after being turned away from gate at Sydney airport because there wasn't anyone to help him onto the plane. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

A passenger with a disability has lodged a discrimination complaint after he was turned away at the gate when trying to board a Jetstar flight in Sydney.

Tony Jones, who suffered a spinal cord injury after falling off a balcony at the age of 18 and has since relied on a wheelchair, said he had contacted the airline to organise assistance in advance of his flight to Ballina in May last year.