The proposal to issue new rules has come six days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that it had imposed a fine of INR 5 lakh on IndiGo airline for denying boarding to a specially abled child at Ranchi airport on May 7
If an airline felt that a specially abled passenger’s health was likely to deteriorate during a flight, it must consult a doctor at the airport and take an “appropriate call” on whether boarding should be denied to the flyer or not, according to the draft rules that have been issued by the DGCA, reported PTI. The proposal to issue new rules has come six days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that it had imposed a fine of INR 5 lakh on IndiGo airline for denying boarding to a specially abled child at Ranchi airport on May 7.
DGCA has asked the public to send in their comments about the draft rules by July 2, after which it will issue the final rules
IndiGo had, on May 9, said that the boy had been denied permission to board the Ranchi-Hyderabad flight as he was visibly in panic. After the boy was prohibited from boarding, his parents also decided not to enter the plane.
The regulator had on May 28 said that in order to avoid such situations in the future, it would take a look at its own regulations. It would be mandatory for airlines to take the airport doctor’s written opinion on the health of a passenger before making a decision to deny boarding.
DGCA has asked the public to send in their comments about the draft rules by July 2, after which it will issue the final rules
The draft rules issued by the DGCA said, “Airline shall not refuse carriage of any person on the basis of disability.” It goes on to say, “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,” it mentioned.
DGCA has asked the public to send in their comments about the draft rules by July 2, after which it will issue the final rules.
************************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com
