New Delhi: In a relief for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM), the IGI Airport is will soon provide automated wheelchairs services. This service is likely to start from mid-August.

At present, seven motorable wheelchairs have been introduced on a trial basis.

Based on the requirements by the airlines, an adequate number of wheelchairs will be introduced soon. They will be rolled out in all terminals in a phased manner.

“The automated wheelchair have a capacity of 250 kg and is designed to accommodate the passenger, a check in bag, and wheelchair assistant.

The battery charged wheelchair is sufficient for the operations of the wheelchair throughout a day.

The services are managed by the concessionaire with the help of a software, which locates the passengers’ whereabouts within the airport till he/she boards the flight. The wheelchairs are being procured by the concessionaire from a European manufacturer,” a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said.

The DIAL has appointed M/s Aviaxpert Aviation Pvt. Ltd. as the concessionaire to provide wheelchair services to PRMs traveling through IGI. Around  seven motorable wheelchairs, which have been introduced on a trial basis.

When asked will the existing manual ones would be removed in  a phased manner or these would also be there, the  operator said if the airlines wish to avail services of motorised wheelchairs, the same shall be introduced.  

At present, the airlines provide PRM services through its own manpower and wheelchairs.

However the airlines can be free to continue using their own manpower and wheelchairs, if they do not want to avail this service, the DIAL said.