India
Aai: AAI acts against staff who harassed, demanded Rs4,000 from wheelchair-bound British senior citizen | India News
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PANAJI: Taking strong note of the recent instance where a wheelchair bound British national was harassed and extorted of Rs 4000 at the Goa International Airport Dabolim, the Airports Authority of India cracked down on the three personnel responsible.
The crackdown comes on the day that The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities wrote to AAI asking for an action taken report by February 13.
Katherine Frances Wolfie, a 62-year-old with reduced mobility, was flying from Goa to London Gatwick airport with TUI airlines. Two staff members of a private agency, who were providing special assistance, threatened and demanded Rs 4000 from her, including in foreign currency.
“AAI Goa strongly condemns such unlawful acts,” said Goa International Airport director S.V.T. Dhanamjaya Rao. “The ground handling agency has suspended the staff who were assisting the passenger. Also, the Airport Entry Permit (AEP) of two trolley retrievers were confiscated by AAI Goa and we informed the agency for further action.”
Wolfie had complained on February 4, through an acquaintance in Goa, and AAI immediately launched an investigation. Upon Investigation, AAI officials found that a staff loader of the ground handling agency was assisting Wolfie while two trolley retrievers employed by an agency to collect baggage trolleys were seen talking to Wolfie within the airport.
Rao said the way the three staff members were interacting with Wolfie was “against the norms” of the airport.
“The matter has been taken seriously by AAI Goa,” said Rao.
As an additional measure, AAI has issued a fresh communication to all airlines and ground handling agencies to reiterate that all assistance for persons with disabilities is free and tips are not to be sought. AAI has decided to put up signs across the airport terminal saying ‘No Tips Please’ for the awareness of passengers.
The crackdown comes on the day that The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities wrote to AAI asking for an action taken report by February 13.
Katherine Frances Wolfie, a 62-year-old with reduced mobility, was flying from Goa to London Gatwick airport with TUI airlines. Two staff members of a private agency, who were providing special assistance, threatened and demanded Rs 4000 from her, including in foreign currency.
“AAI Goa strongly condemns such unlawful acts,” said Goa International Airport director S.V.T. Dhanamjaya Rao. “The ground handling agency has suspended the staff who were assisting the passenger. Also, the Airport Entry Permit (AEP) of two trolley retrievers were confiscated by AAI Goa and we informed the agency for further action.”
Wolfie had complained on February 4, through an acquaintance in Goa, and AAI immediately launched an investigation. Upon Investigation, AAI officials found that a staff loader of the ground handling agency was assisting Wolfie while two trolley retrievers employed by an agency to collect baggage trolleys were seen talking to Wolfie within the airport.
Rao said the way the three staff members were interacting with Wolfie was “against the norms” of the airport.
“The matter has been taken seriously by AAI Goa,” said Rao.
As an additional measure, AAI has issued a fresh communication to all airlines and ground handling agencies to reiterate that all assistance for persons with disabilities is free and tips are not to be sought. AAI has decided to put up signs across the airport terminal saying ‘No Tips Please’ for the awareness of passengers.
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