Autistic Passenger Ultimately Allowed to Fly to Kolkata After Dispute With Air India Staff at MBB Airport

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 16, 2026

A reported incident involving an autistic passenger at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala has sparked concern and strong reactions on social media after airline staff allegedly objected to sounds made by the passenger before his Kolkata-bound flight.

According to a family member who shared the incident on social media, the passenger, identified as Abir, is around 30 years old and has autism. The family said that because of his condition and age, his voice has become relatively heavy and he sometimes makes sounds involuntarily.

The family alleged that Air India staff approached them at the airport and warned that if the passenger continued making such sounds and the captain objected, they could potentially be asked to leave the aircraft.

The incident reportedly led to a heated confrontation between the family and Air India personnel at MBB Airport. According to the information shared by the family, the matter was eventually resolved and the passengers were permitted to board the flight. They reportedly reached Kolkata safely after the flight from Agartala.

One of the family member Ratnabali Ray Sengupta strongly objected to what she described as insensitive treatment of an autistic passenger. She questioned whether a person with autism and behavioural or vocal characteristics associated with the condition should effectively be prevented from travelling by air while seeking medical treatment.

She further said that she was travelling to Kolkata for her husband's medical treatment and that being removed from a flight because of her autistic family member's involuntary behaviour would have been deeply distressing and inhumane.

The incident has since generated criticism and concern on social media, with several people expressing solidarity with the family and questioning whether adequate sensitivity and reasonable accommodation were shown to the passenger.

The episode also raises a broader question about accessibility and dignity in air travel, how should airlines and airport personnel respond when passengers with autism or other disabilities display involuntary vocalisations or behavioural characteristics that may be noticeable to other passengers?

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