DGCA Draft Rule: People With Disabilities Can’t Be Refused Boarding Without Medical Opinion

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New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued draft rules for passengers with disability, according to which if an airline feels a specially-abled passenger’s health is likely to deteriorate during a flight, it must consult a doctor at the airport and take an “appropriate call” on whether boarding should be denied to the flyer or not.

The civil aviation regulator’s move comes a week after it slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh on IndiGo airline for not allowing a specially-abled child to board a Ranchi-Hyderabad flight last month.

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The draft rules state: “Airline shall not refuse carriage of any person on the basis of disability. However, in case, an airline perceives that the health of such a passenger may deteriorate in-flight, the said passenger will have to be examined by a doctor who shall categorically state the medical condition and whether the passenger is fit to fly or not. After obtaining the medical opinion, the airline shall take the appropriate call.”

DGCA has invited comments about the draft rules by July 2, after which it will issue the final rules.