How to Get Wheelchair Assistance at Airport Air India
How to get wheelchair assistance at airport Air India is the first question that comes to our minds whenever we book a flight and our co-passenger is a person with reduced mobility. So, if you require wheelchair assistance to help you through the airport, you can place your request on the official website of Air India to avoid that last minute hassle.
The passenger will need to fill a medical information form from the official website of Air India at least seventy-two hours prior to the original departure time of the flight, in case of special assistance. The airlines will also require specific information i.e if the passenger requires wheelchair assistance to the entrance or up to the passenger’s seat in the aircraft.
Let’s dig deeper into the details of how to get wheelchair assistance at the airport air india to keep you away from last minute delays at the airport.
Disabled/unfit/reduced mobility
How to get wheelchair assistance at airport Air India? When disabled people with reduced mobility travel by air, the airlines ensure that all the necessary arrangements are made to facilitate their journey. Anyone with a medical condition or a physical disability can request for special assistance. However, as assistance isn’t automatic, the passenger is required to make a special request to the airlines.
Categories
All the incapacitated passengers are categorized into different groups. So, irrespective of your medical condition, you can identify yourself or your co-passenger under the following AIRIMP codes to book your assistance.
| AIRIMP Code | Condition |
| WCHS-Wheelchair for Steps | Passengers can walk but are unable to take steps. |
| WCHR-Wheelchair for Ramp | Passengers can ascend or descend the steps and walk to the seat. |
| WCHC-Wheelchair for Cabin Seat | Passenger who is entirely immobile. |
Drawbacks
How to get wheelchair assistance at airport Air India? Passengers are always required to pre book their wheelchair assistance at the time of flight reservation in order to avoid last minute hassle, delay, and unavailability of the wheelchair. To ensure air safety Air India does not allow carriage of wheelchair passengers on flights. The primary purpose of restriction is to ensure the safety of other passengers in case of unfortunate emergency evacuation.
Can Air India refuse to carry passengers who need special assistance?
Now that you know How to Get Wheelchair Assistance at Airport Air India it’s time for some other important information. Air India never refuses to carry passengers who need special assistance.
However, Air India may refuse to carry a passenger with a particular medical condition or disability that can turn out to be harm for other passengers. Passengers might not be allowed on a flight if:
- If the passenger does not submit to the carriage condition of Air India.
- If the passenger’s medical condition can be harmful to other passengers.
- If the passenger is severely immobile but isn’t accompanied by an escort.
- If the passenger’s medical condition is a source of infection to the other passengers.
- If the passenger is traveling in an incubator or stretcher but isn’t accompanied by an escort.
What are the charges of wheelchairs?
According to the passenger civil rights, the passengers aren’t required to pay wheelchair charges, all the passengers who require a wheelchair at the airport can request for the same from the airlines.
Please request for the wheelchair at the time of your flight booking so the service can be provided on time. You can also request mobility assistance from the booking office from where you booked your reservation.
Facilitation provided by Air India
Air India ensures that all the necessary inputs are made as requested by the passengers. However, in order to avoid the conflict, disabled people will be boarded first and deplaned last on a flight. The cabin crew and the commander will already be informed about the medical condition of the passenger. The passenger will be escorted to another carrier in case of a connecting flight.
Is medical clearance required?
No, medical clearance is not required for passengers who need assistance only at the airport and not otherwise. However, if a passenger is permanently incapacitated, he or she can issue a Frequent Traveller’s Medical Card issued by the medical department of Air India. This medical card can be looked upon as a medical clearance form, if presented within the validity.
Bottom line
We hope that this article cleared your doubt on How to Get Wheelchair Assistance at Airport Air India. You are required to pre book your wheelchair according to the categories mentioned in the article and get your special assistance from the airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can pre-book your wheelchair assistance at the time of flight booking in order to avoid last minute delays. You can request for wheelchair assistance by calling the airlines so that the crew can arrange it for you on time.
Yes, you can get wheelchair assistance all the way to your aircraft gate when you require it. However, pre-booking of the wheelchair should be made in case of unavailability at the time.