An ageing parent may be comfortable flying yet find long walks, queues, unfamiliar terminals or late-night pickups tiring. For an NRI arranging the journey from overseas, the most useful approach is to plan a connected chain of support: before departure, inside the terminal, during any connection and after arrival.
1. Ask what support your parent actually wants
Begin with the traveller, not assumptions about age. Ask about walking distance, stairs, standing in queues, hearing or vision, baggage, language and anxiety around connections. Respect a parent who prefers independence while arranging help for the parts they identify. If there is a health concern about flying, medication or mobility, seek advice from the treating clinician rather than improvising a travel plan.
2. Map the complete journey
Write down the flight number, date, departure and arrival terminals, connection airport, scheduled times and airline booking reference. Check whether terminals change during a connection and whether baggage is checked through. Keep the plan in the parent’s phone and as a printed sheet with only the essential contacts.
3. Request assistance through the airline
Contact the operating airline through its official channel and describe the functional assistance required. Do not simply write “elderly passenger.” Explain whether the traveller can walk short distances, manage stairs, board independently or needs support between check-in, security, the gate and baggage reclaim. Ask how the request appears on the booking and reconfirm it before departure.
The Airports Authority of India’s handbook for passengers with reduced mobility addresses accessible airport facilities. Individual AAI airport pages, including Kolkata Airport passenger information, direct passengers to request a wheelchair from the airline when booking or at the airline counter. The exact process and availability should still be confirmed with the airline and airports on the route.
4. Prepare the parent for check-in
Confirm when and where the traveller should report and who may accompany them to the permitted point. Keep travel documents, prescriptions where relevant, a small medicine supply in original labelled packaging, phone charger and essential contact card in accessible hand baggage. Follow airline rules for liquids, batteries, medical devices and cabin baggage; do not place essential items where the parent cannot reach them.
5. Make the pickup person easy to verify
Choose a known family member or a pre-verified driver. Share the person’s name, recent photograph, phone number, vehicle number and meeting point with the parent shortly before travel. Use a simple family-agreed verification phrase if helpful. The pickup person should know the parent’s name and flight, but should not need copies of passports, banking details or unrelated medical records.
6. Plan for delays and terminal changes
Nominate one trip coordinator who monitors official flight updates and communicates changes. Agree what the parent should do if the phone battery fails, baggage is delayed or the pickup person is not visible. A practical rule is to remain in a staffed, well-lit terminal area and contact the named family coordinator or official airline or airport desk—not accept an unexpected ride.
7. Close the handover properly
The pickup person should confirm arrival, successful meeting and departure from the airport. On reaching home or the destination, send one final update. Check that baggage, travel documents, medicines and mobility aids have arrived. If any item is missing, record the airline or airport reference promptly rather than relying on a verbal promise.
8. Review the return journey
Ask the parent what worked and what felt difficult. Update walking-distance needs, connection time, baggage choice, meeting point and contact sheet before the next flight. Assistance preferences can change, so a previous arrangement should not be copied without checking.
The official airport sources linked above were reviewed on 23 October 2026. Facilities and procedures differ by airline, airport, route and operational conditions; confirm the current arrangement directly before travel.
NRI Solutions 360’s NRI Concierge support may assist with agreed airport, transport and local coordination, subject to location, availability, traveller consent and confirmed scope. Use the enquiry page to share the city, flight details and support required.