Air India has been fined ₹30 lakh by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following the tragic death of an 80-year-old passenger at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The incident, which occurred on February 16, has raised concerns about the airline’s handling of passengers with reduced mobility.
The DGCA took prompt action, issuing a show-cause notice to Air India and demanding a response within seven days. After reviewing the airline’s explanation, the regulator found Air India guilty and imposed the hefty fine.
According to Air India, the passenger’s wife was provided with a wheelchair, and staff members had requested the elderly passenger to wait while they arranged another wheelchair for him. However, the passenger chose to walk to the terminal with his wife instead.
In response to the incident, Air India stated, “One of our guests flying from New York to Mumbai on 12th February fell ill while proceeding to clear immigration with his wife, who was in a wheelchair. Due to heavy demand for wheelchairs, we had requested the passenger to wait till he was also provided with wheelchair assistance, but he opted to walk along with his spouse.”
The DGCA’s examination revealed that Air India had failed to comply with the norms outlined in the “Carriage by Air – Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility” regulations. This failure to adhere to the specified regulations, as per the Aircraft Rules, 1937, led to the imposition of the fine on the airline.
In addition to penalizing Air India, the DGCA has issued an advisory to all airlines emphasizing the importance of ensuring an adequate number of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance during embarking or disembarking from aircraft.
The incident underscores the critical need for airlines to prioritize the safety and comfort of passengers with reduced mobility, and it serves as a reminder for airlines to strictly adhere to the regulations concerning passenger assistance and accessibility.
Sources By Agencies
