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Air India responds after para swimmer alleges delay in getting wheelchair at Delhi airport
“... it was delayed due to airport security reasons. We hope you will give us another chance to set things right,” the airline said.
Air India on Tuesday responded to Indian para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh who had claimed to have waited for 90 minutes at the Delhi airport to get a wheelchair. Responding to Shaikh, the airline said the delay was caused due to security reasons, as it hoped for “another chance” from the flyer to "set things right".
“... it was delayed due to airport security reasons. We hope you will give us another chance to set things right,” the airline said.
The airline said the wheelchair was provided to the swimmer as per the procedure of the aircraft, adding that he was also escorted by the airport personnel.
“Shams Aalam was provided with an aisle wheelchair as per procedure from the aircraft by Air India as soon as the flight landed at Delhi. His personal wheelchair arrived at the belt in a while after due security clearance,” the airline said.
“He was escorted by airport handling personnel throughout. The inconvenience caused by the delay (beyond our control) in the arrival of his wheelchair is regretted,” it added.
On Monday, Shams Aalam, in a tweet, said he had been waiting at the Delhi airport for over an hour for his wheelchair to arrive.
“Dear@airindiain i landed with AI 309 5 pm at @DelhiAirport. I am a wheelchair user and I informed cabin crew that I need my wheelchair at gate. After an hour i am still waiting and not received my personal wheelchair. I need to use washroom no one supporting,” he wrote.
Later, in another tweet, he urged Air India to conduct a sensitisation programme to handle PwD (Persons With Disabilities) as he complained about being given an uncomfortable wheelchair.
"Thank you twitter family for your support. I received my wheelchair. However @airindiain kindly conduct sensitization program to handle PwD. If a PwD asking for his wheelchair don't force them to sit on your XL size uncomfortable wheelchair,' he said.
