DGCA wants airlines to allow in-flight stretchers, guide dogs for disabled

**New Delhi:**If the aviation regulator DGCA has his way, airlines will have to make provisions for providing stretchers and allow guide dogs inside the cabin for passengers with reduced mobility or disability.

Indian airlines have been notoriously callous when it comes to any passenger needing special assistance. There have been complaints aplenty about blind passengers not being allowed to board, people in wheelchairs being handled by flight attendants without proper care. And there are very few known instances of trained guide dogs being allowed inside the cabin.

[caption id=“attachment_931487” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Airlines cannot refuse passage to any passenger with any level of disability. Not just the disabled, airlines cannot even refuse to carry escorts, trained dogs[/caption]

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In a draft titled ‘Carriage by Air Persons with Disability and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility’, DGCA Arun Mishra has sought airlines’ comments on various aspects of carrying the disabled on flights. On the face of it, the DGCA has sought to make all the right provisions for air travel of the disabled. But will airlines stick to these regulations?

1. Airlines cannot refuse passage to any passenger with any level of disability. Not just the disabled, airlines cannot even refuse to carry escorts, trained dogs

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or any assistive devices needed by such passengers

2. But the disable wishing to travel by air must also show some responsibility: they need to initimate the airline about their specific needs at least 48 hours before travel for the airline to make specific arrangements.

3. Not just disabled needing a wheelchair, even those who are on a stretcher or an incubator cannot be denied a flight. If an advance request is received, airlines will in fact have to provide stretchers etc themselves for such patients

4. The disabled should normally be boarded before other passengers and de-boarded after everyone else has done so

5. Airport operators too are expected to help by providing ambulance facilities, wheel chairs etc on request. And the airlines are required to hold special training session for their staff to sensitize them toward handling the disabled.

We would say the last point is certainly the most important. Sensitivity towards handling the disabled would go a long way in making air travel humane for everyone.