The Hindu Business Line : No airline can refuse passenger on stretcher: new DGCA guidelines

New Delhi, May 7 The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued fresh guidelines for airlines and airports which lay down that no airline can refuse to carry a person travelling in a stretcher or baby in an incubator, when accompanied by an escort.

The passenger in a stretcher will, however, be required to bear the normal charges for such travel. The guidelines which form part of the ‘Carriage by air of persons with disability and or persons with reduced mobility’ state that persons with disability not holding any certificate shall also be provided necessary assistance and aids such as wheel chairs and ambulifts. The DGCA has said that airlines may check the individuals degree of disability either at the time of check-in or ticketing.

Airlines have been asked not to limit the number or type of incapacitated passengers on their flights other than for the specific reason for orderly evacuation from the aircraft exits and due to physical imitations such as size of the aircraft.

The airlines have also been asked not to seek any medical clearance or special forms from persons with disabilities or persons with reduced mobility who require special assistance at the airport for assistance in embarking or disembarking.

A medical clearance by the airline may be required only in cases where the airline has received information that the passenger suffers from any disease, which is believed to be actively contagious, or incapacitation may have or develop an adverse physical condition which could have an adverse effect during flight.

Airlines have been asked to ensure that wheel chairs are available without any extra charge at all airports for boarding, disembarkation and before departure, among others. The airline regulator has also called on airport operators to display international symbols of disability within visible proximity of the main entrance.

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