Carrying physically challenged on airlines to be compulsory

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will soon be issuing a 'civil aviation requirement' (CAR) stating that no airline should refuse to carry incapacitated persons or physically challenged persons if such carriage does not pose a threat to safety, said Praful Patel, minister for civil aviation in Parliament.

The DGCA has issued a draft CAR on the subject of carriage of physically challenged persons by air. The draft CAR will be finalized after considering the public comments, which have been invited for by the DGCA. The CAR when published will be mandatory for all airlines and airport operators.

Meanwhile Airports Authority of India and major airlines have provided facilities for the sick and disabled persons at the airports. All airlines have published the facilities to be provided to passengers including the sick and the disabled persons on their respective websites.