Manuel Bortuzzo denounces airline after wheelchair destroyed during flight

Italian Paralympic swimmer Manuel Bortuzzo has publicly denounced Ethiopian Airlines after his wheelchair was returned damaged and unusable following a flight from Africa to Rome Fiumicino. Bortuzzo, who was returning from a trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar, shared his experience on social media, describing the incident as a violation of dignity and freedom.

Bortuzzo emphasized that for individuals with disabilities, a wheelchair is not merely luggage but an essential extension of the body. He noted that while he is fortunate enough to be able to replace the equipment, many others would face extreme hardship if their primary means of mobility were destroyed during travel.

The incident has drawn criticism from regional disability rights advocates, including Formisano, who called the situation a “shame” and urged the Ministry of Transport to address the lack of attention given to travelers with disabilities. Bortuzzo also criticized the service provided at Addis Ababa airport, labeling the overall travel experience as “hallucinatory.”