Wheelchair Shortage Death: Air India Served Showcause Notice

New Delhi: Air India has been asked to show cause over the death of an 80-year-old passenger who walked about 1.5 km from the aircraft to immigration counter at Mumbai airport due to a shortage of wheelchairs.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the notice to the Tata Group-owned airline on Friday, citing non-compliance with civil aviation requirements provisions and violation of Aircraft Rules, 1937.

All airlines are obligated to provide comprehensive assistance to such passengers, ensuring their seamless travel experience from the departure terminal to the aircraft and vice versa upon arrival, according to Para 4.1.7 of the CAR.

The national airline regulator has given Air India seven days to explain its failure to adhere to regulatory requirements.

DGCA also issued an advisory to all airlines urging them to ensure that an adequate number of wheelchairs are available at all airports to assist passengers during embarkation and disembarkation processes so that similar incidents don’t recur.