In an adjudication rendered on Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for its lapse in furnishing a wheelchair to an octogenarian traveler who subsequently succumbed at the Mumbai airport.
The incident transpired on February 12, 2024, involving a passenger’s entreaty for a wheelchair upon touching down in Mumbai. Despite the fact that the spouse of the elderly traveler was already utilizing a wheelchair, Air India purportedly deferred the service citing an “exorbitant demand” for such conveyances. The passenger, in a counter move, opted to traverse on foot, eventually collapsing and meeting demise during the immigration procedures.
Following a meticulous inquiry, the DGCA determined that Air India had transgressed the regulations pertaining to “Carriage by Air – Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility.” These regulations mandate the facilitation of wheelchair support for individuals necessitating it.
Air India, in their rejoinder, contended that the passenger voluntarily chose to stride alongside his spouse instead of awaiting an additional wheelchair. Nevertheless, the DGCA underscored that the airline fell short of meeting its obligation to provide a wheelchair, irrespective of the initial decision made by the passenger.
“Moreover, Air India refrained from communicating any punitive measures taken against the delinquent employee(s), and the airline neglected to submit details of corrective measures adopted to forestall the recurrence of such episodes in the future,” articulated a DGCA official in an official statement.
As a repercussion, the DGCA levied the Rs 30 lakh fine and dispatched a counsel to all aviation entities, underscoring the imperative to uphold a commensurate availability of wheelchairs for passengers necessitating aid during their journey.
“Simultaneously, a counsel has been issued to all air carriers, urging them to ensure a sufficient number of wheelchairs are at the disposal of passengers requiring assistance during embarkation or disembarkation from the aircraft throughout their expedition,” appended the official in the declaration.