Providing trolleys, buggies must at airports: DGCA

Said that automated buggies must be provided free of charge for all senior citizens, expectant mothers, physically challenged passengers

In a passenger friendly move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has made it mandatory for major airports to provide automated buggies for intra terminal travel and small trolleys for carrying hand bags beyond security check.

The civil aviation regulator issued the guidelines on the issue today. It says that automated buggies must be provided free of charge for all senior citizens, expectant mothers, physically challenged passengers and other needy travellers at all airports having over 50,000 annual flight movements. The regulator did not list names of airports covered under the scheme. Also the trolleys must be provided after security check for carriage of hand baggage upto the boarding gate.

DGCA has also directed ground handling agencies and airlines to conduct periodic soft skills training for personnel engaged in guest services. It said non compliance of rules will attract penal action under Aircraft Rules and relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code.