Air India is under intense scrutiny following the tragic death of an 80-year-old passenger, Babu Patel, who collapsed and passed away at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The incident occurred on February 12 after the arrival of Air India flight AI-116 from New York.
Patel, accompanied by his 76-year-old spouse, Narmadaben Patel, had both booked wheelchairs for assistance. However, upon disembarkation, only one wheelchair was available, leaving Patel to walk alongside his wife, who was aided by the lone available wheelchair.
Tragically, during the journey from the aircraft to the terminal, Patel collapsed near the APHO office. Despite receiving CPR from airport medical personnel and swift transportation to Nanavati Hospital in an MIAL ambulance, Patel could not be saved.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cited violations of regulations concerning the carriage of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility. According to regulations outlined in CAR Section 3, Series ‘M’, Part I, airlines are obligated to provide seamless assistance to passengers with specific needs, ensuring their safe travel from the departure terminal to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the arrival terminal exit.
As a result, Air India has been served a ‘Show Cause Notice’ by the DGCA for failing to adhere to these regulations, with a mandated response deadline of seven days. Additionally, all airlines have been issued an advisory to ensure an adequate supply of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance during embarkation and disembarkation.