The Bombay High Court expressed grave concern over the insufficient availability of wheelchairs and other essential services for senior citizens and specially-abled passengers at airports.
The Court urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airlines to take immediate and proactive action, stating that such lapses not only compromise human lives but also violate basic dignity.
These remarks were made during the hearing of petitions highlighting the lack of assistance at Mumbai's international airport, with the Court emphasizing, “Sensitivity is key... these are matters of fundamental human rights.”
The case stemmed from two writ petitions: one filed by a senior citizen and her daughter, and another by a 53-year-old man, both raising concerns about the shortage of wheelchairs at Mumbai airport. In one instance, the 81-year-old petitioner had to relinquish her wheelchair to her daughter, who suffers from severe arthritis, as only a single mobility aid was available upon their arrival in September 2023.
In response, the DGCA submitted an affidavit citing overbooking as the cause for the shortage of mobility aids. However, the Court rejected this explanation, asserting that operational difficulties could not justify denying essential services to vulnerable passengers.
Justice G.S. Kulkarni and Justice Advait Sethna, who were on the bench, made several crucial observations.
“What happens if a person arrives at the airport in good health and suddenly falls ill?” Justice Kulkarni asked. The Court stressed the importance of ensuring that such facilities are available in advance, pointing out that long delays at airports disproportionately affect the elderly and specially-abled.
“This is not a statistical issue. It’s a human issue,” the Court declared.
The Court also noted international standards, stating, “In foreign countries, senior citizens, children, and specially-abled persons are given the highest regard. Unfortunately, this is not happening in our country.” It further suggested that the DGCA consider imposing severe penalties on airlines for neglect. “When a passenger dies aboard an aircraft or faces distress due to lack of assistance, it amounts to negligence,” the Court stated.
In its final remarks, the Court proposed forming a committee with experts and relevant stakeholders to evaluate the service gaps and recommend improvements to the regulatory framework. The DGCA was instructed to consider the committee's findings when drafting future guidelines. The case is scheduled for further orders on Tuesday.