Overview
- A widely shared clip shows a long line of passengers in wheelchairs at an airport, alongside claims that some travelers use the service to gain priority boarding and end-to-end assistance.
- Air India is cited in reports as saying roughly 30% of passengers on India–US flights request wheelchair assistance.
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw reposted the video and suggested charging an additional ₹5,000 per airport to deter non-essential requests.
- Online reactions ranged from support for a deterrent fee to warnings that new charges could penalize disabled or elderly passengers who rely on assistance.
- Coverage also references a CNBC-TV18 report that airlines are concerned and that the DGCA may review guidance, though no policy shift has been confirmed.