DGCA moves to amend rules; airlines soon may not be able to deny boarding over disability | India News – Times of India
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NEW DELHI: Airlines may soon not be able to deny boarding to specially abled people without seeking medical opinion.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed amendment of rules on “carriage by air – persons with disability and/or persons with reduced mobility”, saying: “Airline shall not refuse carriage of any person on the basis of disability. 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- who shall categorically state the medical condition and whether the passenger is fit to fly or not. After obtaining the medical opinion, the airline shall take the appropriate call.”
The proposed amendment comes on the heels of IndiGo stopping a specially abled child from boarding a Ranchi-Hyderabad flight on May 7. Following a massive outcry on the issue, the DGCA has investigated into the matter and faulted the airline’s “insensitive handling” of the issue. It had fined IndiGo Rs 5 lakh. The regulator had ruled that IndiGo ground staff, which could have avoided the situation with “a more compassionate handling,” had ended up “exacerbating” the same.
Public comments are sought on rule amendments and proposed new regulations. The final revised/new rules are subsequently notified as law after taking the comments into consideration.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed amendment of rules on “carriage by air – persons with disability and/or persons with reduced mobility”, saying: “Airline shall not refuse carriage of any person on the basis of disability. 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- who shall categorically state the medical condition and whether the passenger is fit to fly or not. After obtaining the medical opinion, the airline shall take the appropriate call.”
The proposed amendment comes on the heels of IndiGo stopping a specially abled child from boarding a Ranchi-Hyderabad flight on May 7. Following a massive outcry on the issue, the DGCA has investigated into the matter and faulted the airline’s “insensitive handling” of the issue. It had fined IndiGo Rs 5 lakh. The regulator had ruled that IndiGo ground staff, which could have avoided the situation with “a more compassionate handling,” had ended up “exacerbating” the same.
Public comments are sought on rule amendments and proposed new regulations. The final revised/new rules are subsequently notified as law after taking the comments into consideration.
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