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An 80-year-old passenger, traveling with his wife on an Air India flight from New York to Mumbai, tragically collapsed and passed away at the immigration counter of Mumbai airport on Monday after the airline allegedly failed to provide him with a wheelchair. The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the accessibility and support provided to elderly and disabled passengers.
The elderly couple, both US citizens of Indian origin, had pre-booked wheelchair assistance for their journey. However, upon arrival at Mumbai airport, they found only one wheelchair available, which the wife utilized while her husband walked alongside her, as reported by Times of India.
The man walked approximately 1.5 kilometers to reach the immigration counter, where he suddenly collapsed after suffering a heart attack. Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to the Mumbai airport medical facility, he could not be revived and was declared dead upon arrival at Nanavati hospital.
According to airport officials, out of 32 passengers who had pre-booked wheelchair assistance for the flight, only 15 wheelchairs with accompanying staff were made available, highlighting a significant gap in service provision.
In response to the incident, an Air India spokesperson termed it “unfortunate” and stated that due to high demand for wheelchairs, the deceased passenger was requested to wait until he could be provided with assistance. However, he chose to walk alongside his spouse. The spokesperson emphasized that the airline was in constant communication with the family, offering necessary support and assistance.
Air India’s website outlines procedures for wheelchair assistance, emphasizing the importance of pre-booking to avoid last-minute delays and unavailability. Passengers requiring assistance are required to inform the airline at the time of reservation or ticket issuance and may need to fill out a medical information form, which must be submitted for approval by the airline’s medical officer.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by elderly and disabled travelers and underscores the importance of ensuring adequate support and accessibility measures in the aviation industry. Authorities and airlines must prioritize the needs of vulnerable passengers to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.
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