Airlines

IndiGo Passenger with Disabilities Criticizes Airline for Losing Essential Cushion

An IndiGo passenger from Delhi to Mumbai was in for a nightmare when the airline misplaced the cushion on her wheelchair. Virali Modi, an X user, wrote about her experience. Since it was posted, a lot of people have taken notice.

Indigo Airlines does NOT care about their passengers with disabilities. I’ve been paralysed from the waist down since 2006 and I use a wheelchair for mobility. I flew from Delhi to Mumbai on 5th December, 2023 on flight number 6E-864. After everyone deplaned, the cabin crew…— Virali Modi (@Virali01) December 6, 2023

Modi reveals that she has been in a wheelchair since 2006 and is paralysed from the waist down. The cabin crew “forgot” that she was still seated in her seat when the plane touched down, and when the cleaning crew arrived later, that’s when the flight attendants hurried to make arrangements for a wheelchair.

After all the other passengers had gotten off the plane, I had to wait a total of forty minutes to get off. Like on all of their flights, the call button was out of reach, so I was unable to notify the cabin crew. They neglected to mention that I had also told them that I wanted my wheelchair at the gate.

I had to wait 55 minutes on hold with Indigo’s customer service after getting home before someone answered and acknowledged my problem. They could only decide to send an email as a solution. Nobody wanted to find a solution or expressed regret for my experience.

Regarding the event, IndiGo has released a statement. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by the wheelchair-assistance incident that occurred on flight 6E 864 from Delhi to Mumbai. A replacement cushion is being sent to the customer on a priority basis by our team, who is in contact with her, according to the statement.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.