Effect of Sustained effort from the disability sector....But with a quaification
DGCA lays down strict norms to help disabled
4 May 2008, 0357 hrs IST,Saurabh Sinha,TNN
NEW DELHI: The aviation ministry has approved the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) new rules allowing guiding humans with disability and/or reduced mobility to fly.
As a result, the new civil aviation requirement (CAR) that will be effective from this week has done a U-turn on the issue. While it says airlines and airports must provide wheelchairs or other assistive devices free of cost, "airline may levy any charge for human assistance, if required."
Giving reason for this softening of stance, the official said: "Airlines said they can make available assistive devices free of cost but would need to recover the cost of employing people for offering assistance to the physically challenged."
"Persons with disabilities not holding any certificate shall also be provided necessary assistance... However, cost of such facilities may be borne by passengers requiring them," it says.
Apart from budging on its mandatory free assistance to the physically challenged, the new CAR lays down very strict rules for airlines.
It has made it mandatory for every airport operator to make appropriate provision including ambulift to enable disabled passengers to embark/disembark aircraft without inconvenience.
Airlines have also been asked not to refuse carrying a physically challenged passengers. They have also been told not to insist on medical clearance or special forms unless they have information that the passengers either suffers from some contagious disease or would require attention during flight to maintain their health.
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