Air India Express apologises to Tripura woman over autistic son’s treatment

Air India Express has apologised to a Tripura woman after her 30-year-old autistic son was allegedly mistreated by two airline staff at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala. Dr Ratnabali Ray Sengupta said she was travelling to Kolkata with her husband, a heart patient, and their son when staff reprimanded her because her son was making involuntary sounds linked to his autism.

According to the New Indian Express, Sengupta said the staff told her the pilot might remove them from the aircraft and that fellow passengers could object. They suggested she give her son sleeping medication. Sengupta called the behaviour insensitive and discriminatory, adding that no passenger or crew member objected during the flight.

Air India Express expressed regret and offered a heartfelt apology, saying it is committed to treating all guests with dignity. The airline added that Sengupta's feedback has been shared with the relevant team for review and sensitisation measures.