Differently-abled woman flyer alleges Air India made her 'crawl', AI refutes claim

New Delhi

The differently-abled flyer alleged she had to "crawl" to the passenger coach after deboarding an Air India plane as the airline  failed to arrange a wheel chair for her due to "security" reasons.

However in its response Air India claimed that a wheel chair was provided to the passenger at aircraft doorstep itself.
 
The incident took place yesterday when Anita Ghai, a Delhi University associate professor, landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi by Alliance Air (Air India's regional arm) from Dehradun and requested for a wheel chair.

"Initially I waited patiently with one of my friends. At 2015 hrs, we realise that there was no chance of a wheel chair. The passenger coach came at 20:30 hrs after repeated requests from the flight commander. Since security reasons are critical they made me crawl to go to the coach," she alleged.

The airline, however, denied her claim.

"We strongly deny the statement...We at Air India give utmost importance to passenger's safety and comfort," an Air India statement said.

The flight which operated on ATR aircraft landed in Delhi from Dehradun. Since it was parked at a distant bay it took some time to bring the wheel chair, the airline said.

"Since passengers were getting down from the aircraft, our support staff actively helped the passenger to come out of the plane and the wheelchair was provided at the doors" claimed air India.

"We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to the passenger," it added.