Panaji: The Ground Handling Agency appointed at Dabolim Airport suspended its one staffer after the complaint of extortion lodged against them by a British lady.
Dabolim Airport Director SVT Dhanamjaya Rao, in a media statement issued here, has also said that the Airport Entry Permit of two more staffers of Trolley Retrieving Agency was confiscated after the incident.
The media statement comes hours after Goa State Commission for People With Disabilities issued notice to Dabolim Airport in response to the complaint filed by Mikhil Vasant on behalf of Ketherine Frances Wolfie.
The Director said that the Airports Authority of India, Goa International Airport is in receipt of a mail on February 4, 2023 from Mikhil Vasant on behalf of Katherine Frances Wolfie, a 62-year-old with Reduced Mobility travelling from GOI to LGW with TUI Airlines, that two Airport staff, who were providing Special Assistance have extorted Rs. 4000/- from the Passenger.
“The matter has been taken seriously by AAI Goa and investigated the incident. Upon Investigation it has been found that one staff Loader of Ground Handling Agency was assisting the passenger and two Persons of Trolley Retrieving Agency (Agency engaged at the Airport for retrieving the used trollies) were found interacting with said passenger against the norms,” he said.
Rao said that the Ground Handling Agency has suspended the staff who was assisting PRM Passenger. “Also, the Airport Entry Permit (AEP) of two Trolley Retrievers were confiscated by AAI Goa and informed the Agency for further action,” he added.
Rao has said that Wheel Chair, Person With Reduced Mobility Assistance and Trolley Retrieval service at Goa International Airport, Dabolim are Free of Cost.
“To avert such incidents in future, Airlines/ Ground Handling Agencies have been sensitized about Assisting PRM Passengers. Also, ‘NO TIPS PLEASE’ message are being prominently displayed in Terminal Building for awareness of Passengers,” he said.
