New Delhi, November 3, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau)- In a move stirring unease among traveler’s advocates especially elderly people, Indian aviation authorities have revised rules governing passenger assistance and granted airlines permission to impose fees for wheelchair assistance, a service that has traditionally being offered free of charge. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) new norms, while strengthening provisions for certified persons with disabilities, have raised alarms about the fallout for elderly and ailing passengers who do not hold official disability status.
Certification Gap and Its Consequences
The central controversy lies in the distinction between “persons with disability” and others. The policy safeguards the rights of those with official certification, ensuring them free, comprehensive assistance. Emphasis has been placed on the rights and convenience of passengers with certified disabilities. The new rules mandate that airlines provide designated accessible seating at no extra cost. These seats, which must offer extra legroom, are to be blocked from general sale and held until shortly before departure to ensure their availability. Furthermore, carriers are now legally obligated to provide comprehensive assistance from the point a passenger with a disability enters the terminal building until they exit their destination airport. This includes facilitating the use of personal wheelchairs up to the aircraft door and handling all assistive devices, including prosthetics, with the highest level of care. The regulations stipulate that any damage or loss incurred will necessitate compensation equivalent to the full cost of repair or replacement.
However, a vast demographic including frail senior citizens, individuals with temporary injuries, severe arthritis or people managing debilitating conditions like cancer or severe cardiac issues often lack such formal documentation. These travelers, who genuinely require wheelchair assistance to navigate vast airport terminals, will now likely face a new, unplanned financial burden. The exact cost will be determined by individual airlines, adding a variable to the total price of a journey. The change could force difficult choices for those on fixed incomes or dealing with the high costs of managing chronic illnesses. For them, the new fee represents a direct financial penalty for their mobility challenges. This could impose a significant burden on those already facing high medical costs and potentially deter them from essential travel.
Operational Hurdles and Emotional Distress
Beyond the financial aspect, the rule introduces practical and ethical dilemmas. Airport and airline staff, who are not medical professionals, may be placed in the difficult position of having to assess a passenger’s need, leading to potential confrontations and humiliating inquiries at check-in counters or gates. This scrutiny could cause significant emotional distress for vulnerable travelers. Furthermore, the requirement to process payments for these services may slow down assistance protocols, creating delays and inefficiencies during the boarding process for all passengers.
While the government intends to align with global norms and ensure sustainable service provision, the immediate impact threatens to create a barrier to the skies for those who are most vulnerable, challenging the ethos of inclusive air travel.
