IndiGO CEO ‘regrets’ decision to not carry specially-abled teen at Ranchi Airport, offers to buy electric wheelchair

Hyderabad: IndiGO Airlines Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ronojoy Dutta has expressed regret over the unfortunate incident at Ranchi Airport on May 7 when the specially abled teenager was not allowed to board a flight.

“We had a very unfortunate incident at Ranchi Airport on May 07, 2022, when a specially-abled teenager and his parents could not board their scheduled flight to Hyderabad, Dutta said in a statement which was mailed to UNI.

He also offered to purchase an electric wheelchair to the teenager. All of us at IndiGo are truly distressed by this particular incident, he said.

“Since April 2022 we have carried over 75,000 specially abled passengers aboard our airline and our crew and airport staff are trained to serve such passengers sensitively. Throughout the check-in and boarding process our intent of course was to carry the family, however, at the boarding area the teenager was visibly in panic. While providing courteous and compassionate service to our customers is of paramount importance to us, the airport staff, in line with the safety guidelines, were forced to make a difficult decision as to whether this commotion would carry forward aboard the aircraft. Having reviewed all aspects of this incident, we as an organization are of the view that we made the best possible decision under difficult circumstances. We recognize too well that parents who dedicate their lives to the caring of physically challenged persons are the true heroes of our society. We offer our sincere regrets to the affected family for the unfortunate experience and as a small token of our appreciation of their lifelong dedication would like to offer to purchase an electric wheelchair for their son,” the CEO added.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, responding to the incident, tweeted: “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, the Minister said. (UNI)