Indian airline Vistara issued an apology to Paralympic silver medallist Deepa Malik on Thursday after she complained about rude behaviour by a cabin crew member on a Mumbai-Delhi flight on Wednesday.
Malik complained to the airlines about "poor handling" of passengers in wheelchairs by the airline staff. In her on-board written complaint to the airline, she said that one of the cabin crew members behaved rudely with her when she was informing her mother on the phone that her flight was delayed.
"Crew member Priyanka was very rude in the flight. She told me to speak softly when I called parents to inform them about the delay in flight," she wrote in the complaint. "On objecting, she said 'sweetheart, chill'."
Malik also added that "wheelchair handling is so poor that you do not know how to shift a person from seat to cabin chair. The entire staff stands and looks at each other for 10 minutes. No action."
Very poor handling of wheelchair passenger in De boarding and fragile items. Rude n ill mannered crew. Sad experience. @airvistara pic.twitter.com/UAUKA8UJqt
— Deepa Malik (@DeepaAthlete) October 4, 2016
Vistara offered an apology on Thursday. They assured her of a proper probe and relevant action against the staff.
"As a team, we would like to sincerely apologise to Deepa for her disappointing experience. We have been in touch with Deepa and are grateful for the feedback shared by her. We are investigating the incident thoroughly and will take all necessary corrective actions to ensure something like this never occurs again," Vistara said in an apology letter to Deepa Malik.
Ms Malik later tweeted her appreciation towards Vistara for their response, and thanked them for their "sincere efforts".
Our sincere apologies to Ms. Deepa Malik @DeepaAthlete pic.twitter.com/iF2FThkBqs
— Vistara (@airvistara) October 5, 2016
Happy to receive such a positive response and prompt action for future betterment. Kudos to your sincere efforts. Thank u @airvistara https://t.co/KjlzAt6Qg9
— Deepa Malik (@DeepaAthlete) October 5, 2016
Yes, @airvistara was quick to respond and take prompt measures for future... They visited and resolved and also adding efforts to rectify https://t.co/WVCRM7ffd1
— Deepa Malik (@DeepaAthlete) October 5, 2016
I sincerely hope media also writes about the positive measures n prompt action @airvistara has shown towards better facilities for #PWD
— Deepa Malik (@DeepaAthlete) October 6, 2016