Following the unfortunate death of 80-year-old passenger Babu Patel, who collapsed and died while walking from the plane to the terminal at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Air India found itself under scrutiny.
The event happened on February 12 as Air India flight AI-116 arrived from New York. Patel had reserved wheelchairs for himself and his 76-year-old wife, Narmadaben Patel. But as they got off the plane, there was only one wheelchair available, so Patel had to walk alongside his wife, who was using the one available wheelchair.
Patel tragically passed out close to the APHO office while being transported from the plane to the terminal. After performing CPR, airport medical staff quickly drove him to Nanavati Hospital in an MIAL ambulance. Chief Medical Officer Ronaldo verified Patel’s death despite attempts to resuscitate him.
Citations for violations of CAR Section 3, Series ‘M’, Part I regulations about the transportation of people with disabilities or limited mobility have been made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
As per the provisions of CAR 4.1.7, airlines must offer passengers with particular needs seamless support, guaranteeing their safe transportation from the departure terminal to the aircraft and from the plane to the arrival terminal exit.
