Recently Indigo Airlines was largely criticized by both public and the Government of India for its inappropriate behavior while handling a case of a specially-abled child at Ranchi airport. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Civil Aviation Minister, reacting to the row had promised to take necessary actions over the same.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the Airlines and issued a statement stating,” It has been observed that the handling of the special child by the Indigo ground staff was deficient and it ended up exacerbating the situation. More compassionate handling would have smoothened the nerves, calmed the child, and would have obviated the need for the extreme step resulting in denied boarding to the passengers”.

The statement further read “Special situations deserve extraordinary responses but the Airline staff failed to rise up to the occasion and in the process committed lapses in adherence to the letter and spirit of the Civil Aviation Requirements (Regulations). In view of this, the Competent Authority in DGCA has decided to impose a penalty of Rs. Five Lakhs on the airline under the provisions of the relevant Aircraft Rules,” the statement added.

It must be noted here, it is for the first time the regulator has imposed a fine on any airlines since the imposition of the Aircraft Amendment Act, 2020 which entitles them to levy fines on airlines without reaching out to a civil court.