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The DGCA plans to limit free wheelchair services at airports to older people, which requires younger passengers to provide medical certificates or pay fees to stop misuse.
Young passengers may need medical certificates or pay wheelchair services. (Photo AP)
An important change in the accessibility policy to the airport is on the horizon as the aviation regulator prepares to tighten the improper use of courtesy wheelchair services at airports. At the end of May of this year, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to launch new rules that will limit free wheelchairs access to older people, while introducing rates or eligibility controls for younger passengers.
The movement, as reported by Hindustan Times, occurs in the midst of an increase in travelers’ complaints and airlines about the scarcity of wheelchairs, poor quality equipment and system abuse of healthy passengers. Officials familiar with politics say that the Government aims to formalize the revised guidelines Sonoon, and younger passengers probably require a medical certificate to receive free assistance.
According to the proposal rules, you can require the younger passengers to present a medical certificate to access free wheelchair services, an official told Hindustan Times. Those who cannot comply with the medical threshold could be asked to pay a nominal rate for assistance, participulates for transport to long distances to the boarding doors.
The DGCA, heading the initiative, has already made consultations with national carriers to redefine the rules of elegality. Airline officials have expressed their support for changes, cite the growing costs and lack of trained support personnel.
The demand for wheelchairs has increased and the service providers are charging the airlines largely when the applications exceed the contracted limits. Offering free wheelchairs to all is becoming unsustainable, said an executive of a senior airline, and pointed out that some passengers request wheelchairs only to avoid a long queee.
According to reports, airlines handle 1000 wheelchair applications daily in the main airports. When the applications were the number of wheelchairs and staff, carriers incur significant surcharges. A former airline official explained that the abuse is not limited to the team: trained personnel often also stretch. “Passengers in wheelchairs are accelerated through terminals full of people. Some use it to omit check-in and security lines, despite being perfectly skilled,” said the official.
As well as the regulator prepares stricter norms, the final criteria for eligibility have not yet been made public. However, the new system will include a pay option for those who do not meet medical or age thresholds, but still require assistance due to temporary conditions or difficulty walking long distances.
The changes occur in the midst of increasing scrutiny of the performance of the airlines in the delivery of promised accessibility services. Earlier this year, Air India received a penalty of RS 30 Lakh for not providing assistance in preventive wheelchair to a passerby, which caused renewed calls of more strict application and responsibility.
The DGCA is also considering an awareness campaign to educate travelers about the appropriate use of mobility services and reduce abuse. At the same time, industry observers warn that any policy change must be balanced with passenger rights.
Government officials must understand realities before listening to the airlines, said Biji Eapen, president of the airline and duct users’ rights forum. “The rights of passengers refer to services, security and quality. Without considering or understanding fundamental rights, or addressing such, passengers won” t obtaining any real benefit, “he said.
Some aviation experts suggest that alternative services such as Buggy, Alreamy Avia, free of charge at many airports, could be promoted more effective to relieve pressure on the demand for wheelchairs. However, consciousness remains low.
