IndiGo fined Rs 5 lakh for denying boarding to specially-abled child
The statement issued by DGCA stated that compassionate handling of the situation could have calmed the child.
IndiGo airlines were imposed a fine of Rs. 5 lakh by the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday. This comes after the airline denied boarding facilities to a specially-abled child at the Ranchi airport on May 7.
Earlier on May 9, DGCA formed a three-member team to investigate the incident. The airline had denied entry to the specially-abled child seeing that stating that he was 'visibly in panic.' Since the boy was not allowed to board the flight his parents decided not to enter the aircraft.
"It has been observed that the handling of the special child by the Indigo ground staff was deficient and ended up exacerbating the situation," said a statement by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The statement also stated that compassionate handling of the situation would have calmed the child. This in turn could have led the airlines to avoid taking such a drastic step. Special situations deserve extraordinary responses but the airline’s staff failed to rise up to the occasion, and in the process, committed lapses in adherence to the letter and spirit of the Civil Aviation Requirements (regulations), it noted.
“In view of this, the competent authority in the DGCA has decided to impose a penalty of Rs 5 lakhs on the airline under the provisions of the relevant Aircraft Rules,” it mentioned.
Meanwhile, a day after the child was barred from boarding the Indigo Airlines flight at the Ranchi airport, Indigo's CEO offered his regrets. He termed it the best possible decision taken under difficult circumstances.
He also added, "Throughout the check-in and boarding process, our intent of course was to carry the family, however, at the boarding area the teenager was visibly in panic". | READ MORE
(With PTI Inputs)
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