Last February 12, an 80-year-old Indian-origin economy class passenger on Air India flight AI-116 from New York to Mumbai suffered a heart attack at the immigration counter after being forced to walk one and a half kilometers from the plane. Despite having a wheelchair on the flight that was pre-booked, he went to the immigration counter, resulting in his death in the presence of his wife.
Now DGCA has taken major action regarding this incident. DGCA has now imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India.
Apart from this, a new guideline has also been issued according to which DGCA has asked all the airlines to ensure that wheelchairs are provided to the passengers who need assistance in boarding or deboarding the plane during the journey so that sufficient quantity of wheelchairs is available. Be available. Scene of Air India incident. Needed
Air India gave clarification
An Air India spokesperson issued a statement on the matter on 16 February, clarifying that due to high demand for wheelchairs, we asked the passenger to wait until a wheelchair became available, but he chose to walk with his wife. Option chosen. An assistant came with a wheelchair to assist the couple as there was a shortage of wheelchairs. After which the wife chose to sit on a wheelchair and the husband chose to walk with her. The passenger walked one and a half kilometers to reach the immigration counter. After this the 80 year old tourist collapsed at the immigration counter due to a heart attack. The passenger was taken to Mumbai Airport Medical Facility. From where as per the doctor’s advice, he was immediately taken to the hospital, but he was declared dead there.
