Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Wheelchair Request Surge at Airports Sparks Debate
Many people are asking for wheelchairs at airports, which is causing problems.
A famous businesswoman suggested charging money to stop this.
People on the internet have different opinions about this idea.
Air India is having trouble handling all the wheelchair requests, especially on long flights.
The government is going to make rules about this soon.
Wheelchair requests at Indian airports have surged, causing concern among aviation officials
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw suggested a Rs 5,000 fee per airport to discourage misuse
Social media users debated the proposal, with some supporting and others opposing it
Air India processes over 1 lakh wheelchair bookings each month, with long-haul flights being the most affected
DGCA is expected to issue guidelines on this matter soon
- Who
- Passengers, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Air India, DGCA
- What
- Suggested and debated a fee for wheelchair requests at airports
- When
- November 16, 2025 (Mazumdar-Shaw's tweet), March 2025 (Air India's surge in requests)
- Where
- Indian airports
- Why
- To discourage misuse of wheelchair services
Support Fee
Oppose Fee
Misuse of Service
Support Fee
Some people use wheelchairs to avoid queues, causing genuine passengers inconvenience
Oppose Fee
The fee may discourage misuse and ensure the service is used responsibly
Financial Burden
Support Fee
A Rs 5,000 fee may be too high for some passengers, especially those with genuine needs
Oppose Fee
The fee could be a deterrent for those who misuse the service but is affordable for genuine users
Language Barrier
Support Fee
Some passengers may need assistance due to language barriers or first-time travel anxiety
Oppose Fee
Airports could provide better signage and assistance to address these issues without charging a fee
- Airline
- Air India
- Monthly Wheelchair Bookings
- Over 1 lakh
- Most Affected Routes
- Long-haul flights to North America and the UK
- Proposed Fee
- Rs 5,000 per airport
- DGCA Action
- Expected to issue guidelines soon