DGCA Issues Show Cause Notice To Air India After 80-Yr-Old Passenger Dies Due To 'Wheelchair Shortage'

A show cause notice has been issued to Air India, requiring them to respond to the DGCA within seven days.

After an 80-year-old passenger died at Mumbai airport, while walking approximately 1.5 km from the plane to the immigration counter due to a shortage of wheelchairs, Air India is now under scrutiny. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Show Cause Notice to Air India, citing non-compliance with provisions and violations of Aircraft Rules, 1937. This notice mandates Air India to provide a response within seven days from the date of issuance.

In addition to the Show Cause Notice, an advisory has been issued to all airlines by the DGCA. The advisory highlights the importance of ensuring an adequate number of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance during the embarkation or disembarkation process on flights.

An 80-year-old man, who had arrived on an Air India flight from New York along with his wife, collapsed and passed away at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday. The elderly passenger collapsed after having to traverse approximately 1.5 km from the plane to the immigration counter due to a reported shortage of wheelchairs.

Despite pre-booking wheelchairs, only the wife received one, leading to the man walking alongside her. As they reached the immigration counter, he collapsed due to a heart attack.

According to a statement from an Air India spokesperson, "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. 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 deceased, an Indian-origin US passport holder, was travelling in economy class on Air India flight AI-116 from New York to Mumbai. Reportedly, there were 32 wheelchair passengers on this flight, but only 15 wheelchairs with accompanying staff were available on the ground to assist them.

Air India, in constant communication with family members, assured them of any necessary assistance. An airport source told TOI, "We've often found that aged couples aren't comfortable parting with the spouse and travelling alone from the aircraft to the airport terminal. Those with mobility issues, hearing problems prefer to stay with each other when moving from the aircraft through the terminal building".

The flight, initially scheduled to land in Mumbai at 11:30 am, reportedly experienced a delay and landed at 2:10 pm.