A 13-year-old child with special needs was denied boarding by the staff of Indigo Airlines at Ranchi airport on Saturday. The action resulted in the airline facing a lot of backlash all over social media, with netizens urging the airline to make special arrangements to fly the child and his family to their designated destination the next morning.
Specially abled child denied entry on-board
The child was in a wheelchair and was denied boarding by the airline staff who justified their actions by stating that the child’s behavior was not normal. The crew announced that the child was a potential threat to the other passengers on board and shamelessly degraded him by saying that he would have to become ‘normal’ before he could be travel-worthy.
Shameless behavior by the Indigo staff
Several videos of an Indigo employee misbehaving with the parents of the boy have been doing rounds on social media. All other passengers on board opposed these actions resolutely and assured the staff that they had absolutely no objections to the child and his guardians boarding the flight. A majority of the passengers including several doctors requested the Indigo employee to allow the boy on the flight but with little success.
As per a social media report, the boy was a little distressed after a long ride to the airport but was calm after his parents soothed him down. However, at the time of boarding an Indigo employee allegedly refused the child’s entry on board as his behavior could potentially threaten the other passengers on board.
Statement issued by Indigo
After being on the receiving end of a lot of backlash from social media, the airline on Sunday issued a statement justifying the action of its staff. Indigo issued a public statement claiming that the boy was in a state of visible panic and was not allowed to board the aircraft in view of the safety of the other passengers.
Comments made by the aviation minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Aviation Minister of India issued a warning to Indigo Airlines where he cautioned them of zero tolerance towards such behavior. The minister expressed his outrage through a series of tweets that stated that no human being should have to go through all this. He also provided assurances of investigating the matter himself and ensuring appropriate action.
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