A video that recently circulated on social media showing an exceptionally long line of wheelchair users waiting to board an Air India flight has once again highlighted an issue that has been troubling Indian airlines—and many global carriers—for years. Although the scene may appear unusual, the reality behind it is far more complex: the number of wheelchair assistance requests on certain routes has reached levels that significantly exceed airport operating capacities.
Data from early 2025 indicates that on some Air India flights to the United States and the United Kingdom, as many as 30% of passengers request wheelchair assistance. Across its entire network, Air India reportedly receives more than 100,000 such requests every month. Indian media have noted extreme cases as well: a February flight from Delhi to Chicago recorded 99 wheelchair bookings, while another service to Newark in March had 90 passengers requesting assistance.
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While many users are genuinely elderly or medically unfit, airline employees say a substantial number of requests are motivated by entirely different reasons. According to their accounts, passengers often request wheelchairs to bypass long security queues, board early, avoid extensive walking at major hubs, or simply because the service is free and does not require medical documentation on many international routes.
The phenomenon, however, is not limited to India. In an interview with U.S. media, the CEO of Frontier Airlines described “widespread misuse,” recalling a flight on which twenty passengers boarded in wheelchairs, yet only three required assistance upon arrival.
The consequences of such practices are felt across the system. Airport staff and equipment are pushed beyond capacity, resources are depleted, and passengers who genuinely rely on mobility assistance risk delays in receiving help. In emergencies, an excessive number of wheelchair users may exceed the capabilities of trained personnel, compromising safety.
Due to the increasing frequency of extreme cases, Indian regulators are now considering new guidelines. According to industry sources, they are evaluating options such as age criteria, medical documentation requirements, and paid tiers of service—all aimed at ensuring that wheelchair assistance remains available to those who truly need it. The underlying message is clear: a wheelchair is not a shortcut through the airport, but essential mobility for passengers who cannot travel without it.
