Medical certificate not mandatory to avail wheel chairs at airports: Govt of India

New Delhi, 2 December, 2014

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma informed the Rajya Sabha today that it is not mandatory for the sick passengers to produce a medical certificate to avail wheel chairs at airports.

As per Para 4.1.26 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section -3 Air Transport, Series M, Part -I for “Carriage by Air of persons with Reduced Mobility”, passengers with disability or reduced mobility are required to inform airlines at the time of booking of air ticket about their requirements for assistance.

However, separate requirement to produce medical certificate, for availing wheel chair facility by sick passenger, have not been specified in the CAR, and hence it is not mandatory.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued Air Transport Circular 01 of 2014 on facilities/courtesies to esteemed traveling public at airports.

The Circular mandates the provision of automated buggies free of charge for all senior citizens, expectant mothers and disabled passengers in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding gates located beyond reasonable walking distances at all airports having annual aircraft movement of 50,000 or more.

This facility may be extended to other needy passengers on demand basis free of charge.