Yo, Mr. White!

Indigo Airlines does NOT care about their passengers with disabilities. I’ve been paralysed from the waist down since 2006 and I use a wheelchair for mobility. I flew from Delhi to Mumbai on 5th December, 2023 on flight number 6E-864. After everyone deplaned, the cabin crew forgot that I was on the flight. The cabin crew were chatting to the captain or someone in a similar uniform. The cleaning crew had come on board and I had to inform them. That’s when the cabin crew rushed to arrange an aisle wheelchair. I had to wait a total for 40 minutes to deplane after everyone else had exited the flight. I couldn’t alert the cabin crew because the call button was out of reach, like on all of their flights. I had even informed that I wanted my wheelchair at the gate and they failed to mention that as well. A helper from Indigo had come to assist me and he was negligent as well. My legs were stiff but he kept on pushing the aisle chair. As soon as I arrived to the baggage claim, my wheelchair was nowhere to be seen. My fellow passengers had already collected their luggage and were leaving the airport. I had to wait another 30 minutes for my personal wheelchair because no one had bothered to bring it up from the aircraft. Moving forward, I reached my car and the helper kept removing my personal wheelchair’s cushion. I kept telling him that it was mine but he didn’t listen. When I arrived home, that’s when I realised that my cushion was nowhere to be found. That cushion is specifically made for me and my spine for the utmost comfort since I use a wheelchair full time. After arriving home, I was on hold with Indigo’s customer care for 55 minutes until someone attended my call and took cognisance of my issue. The only resolution they had was to send an e-mail. No one was apologetic about my ordeal nor did they want to find a resolution. Right now, I am left stranded on my bed with my independency stolen by Indigo and their carelessness. I cannot sit on my wheelchair without my cushion. Even though I have a disability, Indigo has left me disabled in the truest sense. What am I supposed to do in this situation? My husband even visited the Indigo counter this morning and they are taking the whole ordeal lightly. They gave the number of the airport and instructed to ask for CCTV footage. On doing that, they want me to file an FIR now. First, you steal my dignity, then you steal my independence, and now you’re stealing my peace of mind. Indigo Airlines, shame on you! You’re money hungry! Everyone knows the first row is the most comfortable for wheelchair users and/or people with actual physical problems. Instead of accommodating to our needs, you’d rather sell those seats to make a profit. Whenever I’m boarding, I’m always made to sit in the aisle. Since I cannot walk or even stand, my co-passengers have to crawl over me. Often times their asses or their crotches are in my face. Basically I HAVE to be harassed if I want to fly. I HAVE to deal with people’s genitals or their behinds in my face if I want to travel. I have to be boarded first and deplaned last. The washrooms aren’t accessible. You don’t have a cabin chair on board at all times for my safety or for my use. What happens if there’s an emergency and the plane needs to be evacuated? Do I go down with the plane? Are my rights not rights? Am I merely a money paying machine to you? How the hell could you forget I was on board when I had boarded the Mumbai bound flight on a cabin chair?! I am a motivational speaker and disability rights activist. I travel a lot for work and because of your foolishness, my ability to earn has also been hindered. What do you have to say about that? Who’s liable? Before anyone says “order another cushion online” THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS! THIS CUSHION WAS CUSTOMISED FOR ME AND FOR MY DISABILITY.