Indigo CEO Offers To Buy Electric Wheelchair For Disabled Teen Who Wasn't Allowed To Board A Flight

After the flak received by IndiGo airlines for allegedly discriminating against a specially-abled teenager, CEO of the company, Ronojoy Dutta has expressed regret over the unfortunate incident.

Wikipedia

What happened?

A specially-abled teenager boy was denied entry into the airplane for not displaying "normal" behaviour. Despite other passengers offering support, an IndiGo staff member reportedly did not let the boy board the flight. Reports suggest that the employee also announced that the boy was a flight risk, and compared the teenager's condition to that of a drunken passenger. The incident went viral on social media, and the airlines was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism.

Here is the video of the incident that happened at Ranchi airport where @IndiGo6E airlines denies boarding to a special need child along with his child.
Seems lack of empathy from Indigo staff, not the first time though.
Indigo to issue a statement shortly. @JM_Scindia https://t.co/5ixUDZ009a pic.twitter.com/SyTNgAQIT6

¡ª Dibyendu Mondal (@dibyendumondal) May 8, 2022

CEO's apology

Now, the company's CEO has reached out, and offered to buy an electric wheelchair for the teenager in order to compensate for the alleged inconvenience and harassment caused by his employees.

"We recognize too well that parents who dedicate their lives to the caring of physically challenged persons are the true heroes of our society. We offer our sincere regrets to the affected family for the unfortunate experience and as a small token of our appreciation of their lifelong dedication would like to offer to purchase an electric wheelchair for their son," IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta said.

However, Mr Dutta did say that the airline staff had "made the best possible decision under difficult circumstances".

IndiGo

"While providing courteous and compassionate service to our customers is of paramount importance to us, the airport staff, in line with the safety guidelines, were forced to make a difficult decision as to whether this commotion would carry forward aboard the aircraft. Having reviewed all aspects of this incident, we as an organization are of the view that we made the best possible decision under difficult circumstances," his statement read.

"Throughout the check-in and boarding process, our intent, of course, was to carry the family. However, at the boarding area the teenager was visibly in panic."

Another video of this incident
Tell me @IndiGo6E from which perspective does this child looks a "risk* to other passengers? pic.twitter.com/PZuANl3y9y

¡ª Dibyendu Mondal (@dibyendumondal) May 8, 2022

Civil Aviation Minister's Statement

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that appropriate action would be taken against IndiGo. Mr Scindia also stressed upon the fact that there was zero tolerance for such discriminatory behaviour by airline staff. He added that he would look into the matter personally.

Wikipedia

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