In a heart-wrenching incident at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, an 80-year-old passenger tragically collapsed and passed away while walking from the aircraft to the terminal, opting not to wait for a wheelchair despite requesting assistance. The passenger, who had flown from New York on an Air India flight, faced a heavy demand for wheelchairs at the airport, leading to a delayed response to his request for assistance.
According to reports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken cognizance of the incident, issuing a show-cause notice to Air India in light of mandatory provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirement to provide assistance to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility. Air India has been instructed to furnish a response within seven days, prompting a scrutiny of the airline’s handling of accessibility services.
Air India, in its statement addressing the unfortunate event, revealed that the passenger’s wife had been provided with a wheelchair, and the staff had advised him to wait while they arranged another one for him. However, the passenger made the decision to walk to the terminal alongside his spouse, foregoing the assistance offered by the airline.
“One of our guests flying from New York to Mumbai on 12th February fell ill while proceeding to clear immigration with his wife, who was in a 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,” Air India stated.
Upon the passenger’s collapse, the airport’s medical team promptly attended to him and transported him to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, the passenger was declared deceased upon arrival at the medical facility.
“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 further clarified.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued an advisory to all airlines, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring an adequate supply of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance during boarding and disembarkation processes. The directive underscores the importance of prioritizing accessibility services to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
As investigations unfold and aviation authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s untimely demise, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical need for seamless accessibility measures within the aviation industry to safeguard the well-being of all passengers, particularly those with special needs or mobility challenges.
Sources By Agencies