Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo is being investigated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after its ground staff allegedly denied a child with reduced mobility to board the airline’s flight.
On May 16, 2022, the Indian aviation regulator initiated a probe on IndiGo questioning whether the airline complied with civil aviation regulations when its ground handling staff denied boarding to a child with a disability for a domestic flight between Ranchi (IXR) and Hyderabad (HYD) in India on May 7, 2022. As witnesses recorded the actions of IndiGo employees, the footage ignited a huge discontent on social media.
There is zero tolerance towards such behaviour. No human being should have to go through this! Investigating the matter by myself, post which appropriate action will be taken. https://t.co/GJkeQcQ9iW
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 9, 2022
In response to the incident, the DGCA committee responsible for the case investigation issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo, where the authority indicated “an inappropriate handling of passengers by the IndiGo staff thereby resulting in certain non-conformances with the applicable regulations.”.
“To meet the ends of justice, the Airline has been provided an opportunity for personal hearing as well as for making written submissions in [the] next ten days from today i.e. till 26th of May 2022,” the DGCA wrote in its statement seen by Business Today on May 16, 2022. “After hearing their submissions, appropriate action as per law would be taken.”
Yesterday an @IndiGo6E staff at Ranchi Airport did this. Shame on you @IndiGo6E.@JM_Scindia @DGCAIndia @PMOIndia
— Abhinandan Mishra (@mishra_abhi) May 8, 2022
Please take strictest possible action.#specialneedchild #divyang pic.twitter.com/LpvSnXB8jg