An elderly Air India passenger at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, who was not provided with a wheelchair, collapsed at the immigration counter and died. The incident occurred on Monday when the 80-year-old man arrived from New York on an Air India flight with his wife. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the airline to submit a report on the incident within a week.
The elderly man of Indian origin with a US passport reportedly pre-booked the wheelchair facility for himself and his wife while getting the Air India tickets. However, due to a wheelchair shortage, only one assistant from the airline showed up for the couple, according to reports.
While the man’s wife reportedly sat in the wheelchair, he decided to follow her on foot.
“He must have walked about 1.5 km to reach the immigration area where he suddenly collapsed due to a heart attack. He was taken to the Mumbai airport medical facility and from there rushed to Nanavati hospital,” TOI reported quoting sources.
The elderly couple had travelled from New York to Mumbai in economy class on Air India flight AI-116, which was scheduled to land at 11.30 am on Monday but was delayed till 2.10 pm.
As per reports, there were 32 wheelchair passengers on the Air India flight, but only 15 wheelchairs with accompanying staff were waiting on the ground to assist them.
Quoting a ground staffer on condition of anonymity, TOI reported that airlines often find that aged couples aren’t comfortable parting with their spouse and travelling alone from the aircraft to the airport terminal.
“Those with mobility issues or hearing problems prefer to stay with each other when moving from the aircraft through the terminal building,” the staffer said.
Unfortunate Incident: Air India
Issuing a clarification on the matter, an Air India spokesperson called it an “unfortunate incident”.
“In an unfortunate incident, one of our guests flying from New York to Mumbai on 12th February 2024 fell ill while proceeding to clear immigration with his wife, who was on 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. As advised by the airport doctor attending to him after taking ill, the passenger was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared to have passed away,” the airline said.
Air India is in constant touch with the family members of the bereaved, extending necessary assistance, it added.
“Air India has a clearly laid down policy to offer wheelchair assistance to every passenger who requisitions for it during reservations,” said the statement.
‘Airport Has Nothing to Do with It’
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport distanced itself from the incident.
A spokesperson said, “The airport has nothing to do with the incident as Air India was handling the matter. It is the airline’s negligence and not that of Mumbai Airport.”
DGCA’s Show Cause Notice for Air India, Advisory for All Airlines
The DGCA has issued a show cause notice under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 3, Series ‘M’, Part I on Carriage by Air – Persons with Disability (Divyangjan) and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility) to the airline. As per para 4.1.7 of the CAR, airlines are mandatorily required to provide assistance to persons with disability (Divyangjan) or reduced mobility’s particular needs and ensure their seamless travel from the departure terminal of the departing airport up to the aircraft and at the end of the journey from the aircraft to the arrival terminal exit.
Air India has been asked to submit a reply to the DGCA within 7 days of the issuance of the notice.
Further, an advisory has also been issued to all airlines to ensure that an adequate number of wheelchairs are available for passengers who require assistance during embarking or disembarking from the aircraft during their journey.
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