Ability Forum

[Vic]

Two months lapsed after Rajiv Rajan, a cerebral palsy patient, suffered the humiliation when he was barred from boarding a flight to Delhi from Chennai despite having a valid ticket.

Still, the airliners insist for a ‘fitness to fly’ certificate from persons with disabilities in violation of the rules stipulated by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to be made effective by August 15, 2007.

It is a clear infringement upon the freedom of the ‘differently abled’ when India observes its 60th year of Independence. This despite the fact that the DGCA had directed airline operators - scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services for carriage of passengers to comply with the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). According to the CAR, no airline should refuse to carry physically challenged/incapacitated persons or persons with disabilities, unless found to be a threat to the safety of other passengers, aircraft and crew.

Further, it states that the disabled passengers need not require a medical certificate to fly as disability is definitely not a disease. The DGCA had issued this CAR on July 25, 2007 under the provisions of Rule 133 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 directing the airliners to make it effective by August 15, 2007.

An online verification of the prominent airliners like Kingfisher, Air Deccan, Paramount, Ethihad, Jetlite, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, shows that none of them have listed any facility for carrying persons with disabilities. When contacted Qatar Airways staff said that they would permit persons with disabilities on submitting a medical certificate that the person is fit to travel by flight. The staff also clarified that a wheelchair facility is available on demand for the disabled.

Jet Airways and Indian Airlines have listed online the special services for the incapacitated and persons with disabilities. While, Air India Express assures to offer services for persons with disability on payment of an additional charge of Rs 1200 per ticket.

Source: newindiapress

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

Two months lapsed after Rajiv Rajan, a cerebral palsy patient, suffered the humiliation when he was barred from boarding a flight to Delhi from Chennai despite having a valid ticket.

Still, the airliners insist for a ‘fitness to fly’ certificate from persons with disabilities in violation of the rules stipulated by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to be made effective by August 15, 2007.

It is a clear infringement upon the freedom of the ‘differently abled’ when India observes its 60th year of Independence. This despite the fact that the DGCA had directed airline operators - scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services for carriage of passengers to comply with the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). According to the CAR, no airline should refuse to carry physically challenged/incapacitated persons or persons with disabilities, unless found to be a threat to the safety of other passengers, aircraft and crew.

Further, it states that the disabled passengers need not require a medical certificate to fly as disability is definitely not a disease. The DGCA had issued this CAR on July 25, 2007 under the provisions of Rule 133 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 directing the airliners to make it effective by August 15, 2007.

An online verification of the prominent airliners like Kingfisher, Air Deccan, Paramount, Ethihad, Jetlite, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, shows that none of them have listed any facility for carrying persons with disabilities. When contacted Qatar Airways staff said that they would permit persons with disabilities on submitting a medical certificate that the person is fit to travel by flight. The staff also clarified that a wheelchair facility is available on demand for the disabled.

Jet Airways and Indian Airlines have listed online the special services for the incapacitated and persons with disabilities. While, Air India Express assures to offer services for persons with disability on payment of an additional charge of Rs 1200 per ticket.

Source: newindiapress

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

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