In a recent update, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India following the recent death of an 80-year-old passenger.
DGCA Fined Air India for Not Providing Wheelchairs
It appears that the passenger chose to walk from the aircraft to the terminal building due to a reported shortage of wheelchairs provided by the airline.
Prior to this on February 16, the regulator had issued a show cause notice to the airline for not complying with the provisions of the “CAR SECTION 3, SERIES ‘M’ PART I on ‘Carriage by Air – Persons with Reduced Mobility’ which is a violation of Aircraft Rules, 1937.”
Following that Air India submitted its response to the notice on February 20.
Further, the airline clarified that the elderly passenger wished to walk along with his wife who was also in a wheelchair.
He didn’t want to wait for another wheelchair.
Regarding this, DGCA said “However, the airline failed to show compliance of the CAR as the airline did not provide any wheelchair to the elderly passenger. Further, Air India did not inform about any action taken by the airline against the erring employee(s) and the airline also failed to submit any corrective actions taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future,” in a press statement.
Further adding, “Accordingly, a financial penalty of Rs 30 lakh has been imposed on Air India as per Aircraft Rules, 1937 for violating the provisions of the aforementioned CAR.”
Apart from this, they have also issued an advisory to all airlines in order 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.
How Did This Happen?
The story started on February 12, when the 80-year old US citizen of Indian origin, along with his wife, had flown to Mumbai from New York on an Air India flight.
They had booked a wheelchair facility for both of them.
However, only one wheelchair was brought for the couple due to the shortage of wheelchairs.
The authorities have asked the senior citizen to wait for another wheelchair.
But he opted to walk alongside his wife who used the wheelchair.
During the long distance to the terminal, he collapsed and passed away at the airport immigration counter.
Lateron, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the passenger’s death on February 20 and issued a notice to the DGCA seeking a report in four weeks’ time.
Here, suo moto cognizance permits them to take up cases voluntarily with no proper appeal being recorded.
Basically, Suo moto perception is a Latin expression signifying “on its own movement,” which is a huge part of the legal framework in India.
