Crossword Genius

They are downtrodden by people on flights (5-7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stair-carpets

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'downtrodden by people on flights' is the wordplay.
'downtrodden by people' becomes 'carpet' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'on' indicates putting letters inside.
'flights' becomes 'stairs' (I've seen this in another clue).
'carpet' inserted within 'stairs' is 'STAIR-CARPETS'.

'are' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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