80-Year-Old Passenger Dies After Air India Fails to Provide Wheelchair at Mumbai Airport

Mumbai: In a tragic incident at Mumbai airport, an 80-year-old passenger collapsed and died after Air India failed to provide him with a wheelchair. The elderly man, who had arrived on an Air India flight from New York, had requested wheelchair assistance along with his wife. However, despite pre-booking the facility, only one wheelchair was allegedly provided to the couple. The wife sat on the wheelchair while the husband walked alongside her, according to a Times of India report.

As the couple made their way through the airport, the man walked approximately 1.5 km before suddenly collapsing due to a heart attack. He was immediately rushed to the medical facility at the airport and later transferred to Nanavati hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

The couple, who were US citizens of Indian origin, had boarded Air India flight AI-116 from New York to Mumbai. An airport official revealed that out of the 32 passengers who had requested wheelchair assistance on the flight, only 15 wheelchairs were made available along with accompanying staff.

Air India’s Explanation

An Air India spokesperson stated that due to a high demand for wheelchairs, the deceased passenger was requested to wait until a wheelchair became available. However, he chose to walk alongside his spouse instead. The spokesperson described the incident as unfortunate and assured that the airline was providing necessary assistance and maintaining constant communication with the deceased’s family.

According to Air India’s website, passengers are required to inform the airline about their need for a wheelchair during the reservation, ticketing, or reconfirmation process. It is recommended to pre-book wheelchairs to avoid any last-minute delays or unavailability.

If a passenger requires a wheelchair due to age, infirmity, or a medical condition, there may be a charge. The airline requires such passengers to fill out a medical information form, which must be submitted at the nearest Air India office. After reviewing the form, an Air India medical officer takes a minimum of 72 hours to approve the request (or up to five working days in some offices).

While the cause of the elderly passenger’s death is still uncertain, this unfortunate incident highlights the importance of ensuring adequate support and assistance for passengers with mobility issues. Air India and other airlines must prioritize the provision of wheelchair services to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.