Travelling through a massive airport like Delhi IGI can be overwhelming for elderly passengers and those with reduced mobility. Terminal 3 alone spans over 5.4 million square feet — that is a lot of walking between the aircraft, immigration, baggage claim, and your vehicle.
The good news is that wheelchair assistance at Indian airports is mandated free of charge by the DGCA. But the reality of how this service is delivered — and its limitations — is something every family should understand before travel.
Free Wheelchair Assistance: What Airlines Provide
Under DGCA Civil Aviation Requirement Section 3, all airlines operating in India must provide free wheelchair assistance. There are three IATA codes:
- WCHR: Passenger can climb stairs but needs wheelchair for long distances
- WCHS: Passenger cannot climb stairs, needs wheelchair and carry assistance
- WCHC: Passenger is completely immobile and needs full assistance to/from seat
How to Book Airline Wheelchair Service
- Request wheelchair assistance at least 48 hours before departure
- Book via airline website, app, or call centre
- Confirm the request at check-in on the day of travel
The Reality at Delhi Airport
While the service is free, it comes with limitations that families should be aware of:
- Wheelchair attendants are shared — you may wait 15-30 minutes for one to become available
- During peak hours (midnight to 4 AM at T3), demand far exceeds supply
- The attendant's job ends at specific handover points — they may not stay with you through the entire process
- No personalized attention — the attendant handles multiple passengers
- Language barriers can be an issue for non-Hindi speaking passengers
Meet and Greet: Dedicated Elderly Assistance
A meet and greet service provides a dedicated personal assistant who stays with your elderly family member from aircraft door to vehicle (or vice versa). Unlike the airline wheelchair service, this is one-on-one attention throughout the entire airport journey.
What a Dedicated Greeter Provides
- Waiting at the aerobridge with a name board when the flight lands
- Personal wheelchair arrangement (no sharing or waiting)
- Escort through fast-track immigration (avoiding the general queue)
- Assistance at baggage claim — identifying and collecting luggage
- Help through customs clearance
- Buggy transfer through the terminal
- Safe handover to family or driver at the exit
- Communication with family via WhatsApp throughout the process
When You Should Book a Greeter for Elderly Passengers
- Parent or grandparent travelling alone on an international flight
- First-time traveller unfamiliar with Indian airports
- Passenger with mobility issues, hearing difficulties, or cognitive concerns
- Late-night arrivals when the airport is most crowded and confusing
- Transit connections requiring terminal changes
- Non-English/non-Hindi speaking passengers who need language assistance
Real Scenario: Why It Matters
In early 2025, an 82-year-old woman collapsed at Delhi Airport after being denied a pre-booked wheelchair. She was hospitalized in the ICU. While this is an extreme case, it highlights the gap between what is promised and what is delivered during peak hours.
A dedicated meet and greet greeter eliminates this risk entirely. Your family member has a named person responsible for their care from start to finish.
How to Book
Book a Delhi Airport elderly assistance service at least 24 hours before the flight. Provide the flight number, passenger name, and any specific needs (wheelchair type, language preference, medical considerations).