Long wheelchair queue at Beijing airport spark debate
Videos showing large numbers of passengers using wheelchair assistance at Beijing Capital International Airport have sparked debate online over whether the service is being misused.
The clips reportedly taken between 9 and 10 Nov allegedly showed passengers flying from Beijing to Vancouver and Toronto.
Neither the airport nor the involved airlines have confirmed any improper use of the service.
Witnesses claim long line of passengers in wheelchairs is common
Videos circulating online show a long line of passengers seated in wheelchairs being assisted through the airport by ground staff.
Source: 嘻嘻小碗儿 on Weibo
Witnesses reportedly claim this was not an isolated incident, but something that is commonly seen at airports in the country.
They even alleged that some flights during peak hours had as many as 20 passengers using wheelchair service.
Passengers using the service are reportedly escorted through designated channels and given priority boarding.
Some passengers reportedly seen walking after landing
However, some of the passengers in wheelchairs were later seen walking without assistance after arriving in Canada, witnesses claimed.
They were also reportedly seen collecting their luggage, clearing customs, and shopping at duty-free stores without any issue.
This led netizens to question whether some passengers were using wheelchairs to avoid queues and sarcastically describe the scenes as a “medical miracle”.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that the passengers falsely claimed having mobility difficulties.
Source: 嘻嘻小碗儿 on Weibo
Passengers not required to provide proof of disability
According to HKET, the Beijing Capital International Airport website states that passengers with special needs are not required to provide proof to receive free wheelchair rental and assistance.
This is to protect the passengers’ privacy and preserve their dignity, in line with the airport’s people-oriented philosophy.
Nevertheless, the viral footage prompted discussion about how airlines can prevent abuse of accessibility services without creating additional barriers for passengers who genuinely require assistance.
Also read: Luggage trolleys abandoned at Changi Airport carpark spark debate, some blame parking fees
Luggage trolleys abandoned at Changi Airport carpark spark debate, some blame parking fees
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Featured image adapted from 嘻嘻小碗儿 on Weibo.
