The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) came down hard on Air India on Thursday, slapping a fine of Rs.30 lakh on the airline for failing to provide adequate wheelchairs at Mumbai airport. This violation led to the death of an 80-year-old passenger who suffered a fatal heart attack after being forced to walk nearly 1.5 km due to lack of wheelchair access upon arrival from New York earlier this month. In a statement, the DGCA said the substantial fine was imposed on Air India as per Aircraft Rules, 1937 for violating the provisions of civil aviation requirements pertaining to the carriage of disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility. The aviation regulator also issued an advisory to all airlines operating in India to ensure sufficient wheelchairs are available for passengers needing assistance during airplane boarding and disembarking. The incident occurred on February 12 when the elderly passenger, accompanied by his wife, collapsed and died after the long walk at Mumbai airport without a wheelchair following their Air India flight from New York. The DGCA had promptly issued a show cause notice to Air India for flouting mandatory rules on caring for passengers with disability and reduced mobility. However, in its February 20 response, Air India failed to provide a convincing explanation for not providing a wheelchair as required under regulations. Air India informed that the passenger had opted to walk alongside his wheelchair-bound wife rather than wait for another wheelchair. However, the DGCA pointed out that Air India still failed to furnish a wheelchair for the senior citizen as mandated by civil aviation requirements. Additionally, the airline was unable to demonstrate any action taken against employees responsible or submit proposals to avoid similar lapses in the future.The hefty fine and advisory mark strong regulatory censure of Air India for its lapses in ensuring passenger dignity and safety, especially for vulnerable travelers. With air travel rapidly rising in India, airlines will need to gear up capacities and staff training to avoid similar negligence episodes that endanger passenger well-being.
