The incident involving the death of an 80-year-old man due to lack of wheelchair assistance at Mumbai airport prompts action from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
DGCA’s Show Cause Notice
- Nature of Notice: Show cause notice issued to Air India.
- Reason: Failure to comply with provisions regarding assistance to persons with disability or reduced mobility, as per Aircraft Rules, 1937.
- Response Time: Air India given seven days to respond.
CAR Section 3, Series ‘M’, Part I
- Regulation Overview: CAR section 3, series ‘M’, part I focuses on carriage by air for persons with disability (Divyangjan) and/or persons with reduced mobility.
- Mandate: Airlines mandated to provide assistance to individuals with specific needs for seamless travel from departure terminal to aircraft and vice versa.
- Advisory: Airlines advised to ensure availability of adequate wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance during embarking or disembarking.
Incident Details
- Victim: 80-year-old Indian-origin US passport holder.
- Flight Details: Air India flight AI-116 from New York to Mumbai.
- Collapse: Victim collapsed at Mumbai airport immigration counter and passed away.
- Booking: Victim and spouse booked as wheelchair passengers.
- Wheelchair Availability: Only 15 wheelchairs available for 32 wheelchair passengers.
- Air India’s Response: Requested victim to wait for wheelchair assistance due to heavy demand, but victim chose to walk.
Air India’s Response
- Statement: Air India expressed regret over the incident.
- Assistance: Providing necessary assistance to the bereaved family.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What action did the DGCA take regarding the incident?
- a) Issued a warning to Air India
- b) Issued a show cause notice to Air India
- c) Terminated Air India’s operations
- d) Fined Air India without notice
- Answer: b) Issued a show cause notice to Air India
- According to CAR section 3, series ‘M’, part I, what is mandated for airlines regarding passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?
- a) Providing discounted fares
- b) Ensuring availability of in-flight meals
- c) Offering priority boarding
- d) Providing assistance for seamless travel
- Answer: d) Providing assistance for seamless travel
- How many wheelchairs were available for the 32 wheelchair passengers on the Air India flight?
- a) 10
- b) 15
- c) 20
- d) 25
- Answer: b) 15
- What was Air India’s response to the victim’s request for wheelchair assistance?
- a) Denied the request
- b) Provided immediate assistance
- c) Asked the victim to wait
- d) Directed the victim to walk
- Answer: c) Asked the victim to wait