# Virgin Australia apologises to disability advocate removed from flight over wheelchair motor

https://mins.news/en/item/25881

- The Guardian, 2026-08-19 08:33 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/19/virgin-australia-apologises-to-disability-advocate-removed-from-flight-over-wheelchair-motor-ntwnfb

> Virgin Australia apologised to disability advocate Shane Hryhorec after he was removed from a Sydney flight over where to stow his wheelchair’s SmartDrive motor. Hryhorec said the incident humiliated him; his video has drawn 16 million views. He has complained to the Australian Human Rights Commission and wants enforceable changes for disabled travellers.