Mumbai Airport Faces Scrutiny After Elderly Man’s Death Linked to Wheelchair Shortage
Mumbai, 16th February 2024: In an unusual incident at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, an 80-year-old man, who had recently landed on an Air India flight from New York with his wife, passed away on Monday. The elderly couple, both in need of wheelchairs, had pre-arranged assistance, but only the wife received the service. The scarcity of available wheelchairs forced the man to cover approximately 1.5 km on foot from the plane to the immigration counter, ultimately resulting in a fatal heart attack.
Despite ongoing communication between Air India and the family for necessary assistance, the situation highlighted the considerable challenges faced by passengers dealing with mobility issues. According to an airline spokesperson, due to the high demand for wheelchairs, the passenger was advised to await assistance, but he chose to walk alongside his wife. Immediate attention from the airport doctor followed, and the man was promptly transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
This incident sheds light on a significant deficit of available wheelchairs at the airport, with only 15 units provided for the 32 passengers requiring assistance from the flight. The delayed flight further compounded the difficulties faced by the elderly passengers.
The event directs attention to the broader issue of accessibility for individuals with disabilities in airport settings. It also follows a recent incident at Kolkata airport, where a wheelchair-bound woman encountered challenges during security clearance, underscoring the persistent obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities in air travel. The incident calls for a comprehensive evaluation of the current assistance systems in place for passengers with mobility challenges, emphasizing the critical need to prioritize accessibility and better understand their unique requirements.
