Airlines must carry the physically challenged

NEW DELHI: India will soon make it mandatory for airlines to ferry physically challenged people and a draft policy will be circulated among stake holders soon, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Friday.

"The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will soon issue the civil aviation requirement stating no airline shall refuse to carry incapacitated or physically challenged persons if such carriage does not pose a threat to safety."

The regulator will finalise the draft after considering public comments, which have been invited, Patel told the Lok Sabha in a written reply, adding that incapacitated people are being provided medical care at all airports.

"All airlines have published the facilities to be provided to the passengers, including the sick and the disabled persons on their respective websites."