In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old autistic boy was initially denied boarding by the Sri Lankan Airlines ground staff. The authorities claimed that the boy could be a threat to the pilots and fellow passengers.
The boy’s mother took a stand for the boy and fought with the authorities, who later allowed the boy after a two-hour-long fight between the mother and the authorities.
According to a report by the Times of India, even after allowing the child on the flight, the crew kept following the child. Following the incident, the mother complained to the airline and Bengaluru airport.
Credits – Outlook India
“Two male ground staffers of SriLankan Airlines came up to us and asked questions about our 15 year old younger son, who is autistic and communicates using a mobile app. Shockingly, they began to say that he would be a threat to the pilots and fellow passengers on the plane if allowed to board. My son was hearing all this and stood scared holding our hands.” said the mother.
The son, along with his family, was supposed to travel to Maldives for their holidays from Babusapalya. The family reached Kempegowda International to board the Sri Lankan Airlines to Colombo en route to Male. However, things went downhill when the family was waiting to check in their luggage for the flight.
“I had to explain to them that autism is not a disease and there is no need for a doctor to tream him, let alone authenticate him to fly. He is a well-travelled boy and his last trip was to Dubai, and he has never been harassed over his condition,” said the mother.
