Air India: Wheelchair demand soars in Chicago

 

 

P P Cherian

Chicago: Tata Group-owned Air India has seen an unusual increase in the number of passengers requesting wheelchair assistance on its flights from Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD). A video showing a long line of wheelchairs at the gate has gone viral, sparking debate over whether this is a misuse of the system or something more complex.

Air India has seen a surge in wheelchair demand on long-haul routes from the US. On some flights, up to 30% of passengers are reportedly requesting this assistance. One reason for this is the high number of elderly passengers traveling internationally for family visits.

Legal obligation: Under the Air Carrier Act of 1986 in the US, airlines are required to provide wheelchairs free of charge to passengers with disabilities. This obliges airlines to provide assistance to anyone who requests it, even if it is not related to medical records.

Wheelchair assistance is a significant financial cost to airlines (approximately $3035 per request). In addition, boarding times increase and schedules are delayed when there are many wheelchair passengers. Many passengers are not scammers. People who do not speak English, are unfamiliar with large airports, and need assistance with security and transfer procedures also seek mobility assistance.

Since U.S. law does not allow charging for wheelchair use, airlines cannot impose fees or other restrictions to prevent abuse.