Airlines Can No Longer Deny Boarding To Disabled Passengers Without Doctor's Opinion, Says DGCA

The regulator had proposed the regulations on June 3, six days after it imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on IndiGo for denying boarding to the disabled child on May 7.

New Delhi: Airlines can no longer deny boarding to a passenger with disability without consulting a doctor and if the medical expert deems that the passenger’s health is likely to deteriorate during the journey, then they will have to immediately inform the passenger in writing, stating the reasons in that note, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. The decision comes in the heels of an IndiGo aircraft denying boarding to a specially-abled child in May this year.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the DGCA on Friday said that it has amended its regulations to improve the accessibility of boarding and flying for disabled people and as per the revised regulations, airlines cannot deny boarding to a passenger with disability or reduced mobility without consulting a doctor.

"However, in case, an airline perceives that the health of such a passenger may deteriorate in-flight, the said passenger will have to be examined by a doctor in person - who shall in his/her opinion, categorically state the medical condition and whether the passenger is fit to fly or not," the amended regulations stated.

“In case of refusal of carriage by the airline, it shall inform the passenger in writing with the reasons therein immediately,” it further added.

Notably, the regulator had proposed the aforementioned regulations on June 3, six days after it imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on IndiGo for denying boarding to the disabled child on May 7.

IndiGo on May 9 said that the boy was denied boarding permission as he was visibly in panic. After the boy was prohibited from boarding, his parents had also decided not to enter the plane.

The DGCA asked the public to send their comments on the proposed amendments by July 2.

It is to be noted that IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta on May 9 expressed regret over the incident and offered to buy an electric wheelchair for the disabled boy.

Dutta had also said that the airline staff took the best possible decision under difficult circumstances.

Meanwhile, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on May 9 said that no human being should have to go through this and he himself was probing the Ranchi incident.