Air India Fined ₹ 30 Lakh for Failure to Provide Wheelchair to 80-Year-Old Who Died

Air India has been fined INR 30 lakh after an 80-year-old passenger died at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport while walking from the plane to the terminal due to a lack of wheelchairs. The incident occurred on February 16.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) acted quickly, sending a show-cause notice to Air India, and sought a response within seven days. After reviewing the response, the regulator deemed Air India guilty and fined them INR 30 lakh.

The airline stated that the passenger’s wife had been given a wheelchair and that officials had requested him to wait while another one was arranged. Instead, he decided to go to the terminal with his wife.

In its statement, Air India said, “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.”

Upon assessment, the DGCA determined that Air India had failed to comply with the regulations governing “Carriage by Air – Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility.” The airline’s inability to follow the requirements established in Aircraft Rules, 1937 resulted in a fine.

The DGCA has also issued an advise to all airlines emphasising the importance of ensuring adequate wheelchairs for customers who require help when boarding or disembarking from the aircraft.