Ground staff of IndiGo inappropriately handled a teenager with special needs at Ranchi airport, according to a preliminary investigation by aviation regulator DGCA. The probe was ordered after the airline had refused to board him earlier this month.
A show cause notice will be served, asking the airline why suitable enforcement action should not be taken against it. The airline will have to respond to the notice by May 26.
Depending on that, the regulator may impose a monetary penalty on the airline. After the amendment of the Aircraft Act, 1934, the regulator can now impose financial penalties for violations.
“The proceedings of the committee were partly held in the open and partly in camera as per the request of the affected family. The findings of the committee prima facie indicate inappropriate handling of passengers by the Indigo staff, thereby resulting in certain non-conformances with the applicable regulations,” the regulator said in a statement.
Simultaneously, DGCA is also looking to strengthen regulations on carriage of persons with disability by airlines.
The current regulations have drawn criticism for lacking sensitivity to intellectual or cognitive challenges. The regulator may come out with some draft amendments in another fortnight. (Source BS)