The increasing demand for wheelchair assistance at India’s major airports is emerging as a significant challenge, particularly for airlines like Air India, which handles an unprecedented number of requests each month. While many passengers genuinely require this support due to age or medical conditions, reports indicate that a rising number of travelers are misusing the service to bypass long queues and extensive walking distances, potentially disadvantaging those with legitimate needs.
Government and Regulatory Response
The aviation ministry has taken note of the growing concerns. According to CNBC-TV18, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is actively assessing the issue and may introduce new guidelines to regulate wheelchair usage. Authorities have also raised safety concerns, warning that an excessive number of wheelchair-bound passengers could hinder the crew’s ability to assist them effectively during emergencies.
Staggering Demand on Key Routes
Air India alone manages over 100,000 wheelchair bookings monthly for both domestic and international flights, with the highest demand observed on long-haul routes to North America and the UK. Key figures illustrating the surge in wheelchair requests include:
March 20, 2025: 89 wheelchair requests on Air India’s Delhi-Newark flight.
February 4, 2025: 97 requests on a Delhi-Chicago flight.
February 19, 2025: 99 wheelchair bookings on the same Delhi-Chicago route, accounting for nearly 30% of passengers on board.
Domestic Impact: On February 27, 2025, Mumbai Airport recorded 750 wheelchair requests for Air India’s domestic flights.
International Flights from Mumbai: Some flights have reported handling up to 120 wheelchair requests per departure.
Factors Driving the Surge in Wheelchair Requests
Several reasons contribute to the sharp rise in wheelchair assistance requests at Indian airports:
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Free Service: Air India provides wheelchair assistance at no extra cost, leading some passengers to exploit the facility to expedite their airport experience.
Rise in Elderly Travelers: An increasing number of senior citizens are traveling internationally, often pre-booking wheelchair assistance to manage long walks and extended waiting times.
Misuse by Able-Bodied Passengers: Reports suggest that some healthy elderly travelers request wheelchairs purely for convenience. Airport staff have observed instances where passengers using wheelchairs start walking normally after passing through security and immigration.
Consequences of Wheelchair Misuse
The widespread misuse of wheelchair assistance has significant implications:
Limited Availability for Genuine Cases: Airlines struggle to accommodate passengers who genuinely need support, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Operational Challenges: The excessive demand for wheelchairs can delay flight turnaround times, causing disruptions in schedules and inconvenience for all travelers.
Safety Risks: Overloading flights with wheelchair users could hinder emergency procedures, impacting overall passenger safety.
Potential Solutions to Prevent Misuse
To curb the rising misuse of wheelchair assistance, the following measures are being considered:
Medical Documentation Requirement: Younger passengers requesting wheelchair assistance may need to provide medical proof to validate their request.
Encouraging Passenger Responsibility: Travelers must use the service ethically, ensuring it remains available for those who genuinely need it.
Alternative Mobility Services: Airports could introduce buggy or cart services for elderly travelers without medical conditions but requiring assistance for long walks.
Age-Based Restrictions: Setting an age limit for wheelchair requests could help prioritize assistance for passengers with genuine mobility issues.
Wheelchair Request Limits per Flight: Airlines may implement a cap on the number of wheelchair requests per flight to prevent overuse and ensure fair resource allocation.
As authorities and airlines work toward resolving this issue, passenger awareness and responsible use of the service will play a crucial role in ensuring that wheelchair assistance remains accessible to those who truly need it.
Sources: Some data and insights in this article are based on reports by CNBC-TV18.