Air India Fined ₹30 Lakh Over Passenger’s Death Due to Lack of Wheelchair Assistance

In a tragic incident at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, an 80-year-old passenger lost his life on February 16 after he was not provided a wheelchair and had to walk from the plane to the terminal. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh on Air India, following a swift investigation into the matter. The regulatory body had earlier issued a show-cause notice to the airline, demanding a response within seven days on why it failed to provide the necessary assistance to the passenger.

Air India, in its response, stated that the passenger’s wife had been provided with a wheelchair upon their arrival from New York to Mumbai. Due to a high demand for wheelchairs at the time, the airline staff asked the passenger to wait for another wheelchair. However, he chose to walk alongside his wife to the terminal. The incident has raised concerns over the airline’s adherence to the norms catering to the “Carriage by Air – Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility,” as outlined in the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

The DGCA’s examination revealed Air India’s non-compliance with these regulations, leading to the hefty fine. In addition to the fine, the DGCA has issued an advisory to all airlines, emphasizing the importance of ensuring an adequate number of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance. This move aims to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future and ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, especially those with reduced mobility or disabilities.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright