Investigation after disabled passenger is stranded overnight at airport
American Airlines has started an investigation after a disabled woman was left stranded overnight alone at Chicago’s O’Hare airport.
Olimpia Warsaw, 67, was taken to the gate for a flight to Detroit but the flight was cancelled.
She was then left by an airport porter who offered to accommodate her in a hotel but was not willing to actually take her there.
Mrs Warsaw suffers from parkinson’s disease and diabetes and due to medication finds it difficult to communicate, said her son Julian Coltea.
The porter apparently told her his shift was over and couldn’t assist her anymore and so she was left on her own.
"She actually had to find a random passenger to help her out just to go to the bathroom because the porters had already left for the night," Coltea told CBS.
"I really think that they need to revisit their policies for dealing with the elderly and disabled."
The airline acknowledged if should have done better and apologised.
"We have launched an investigation with our Chicago team and the vendor we utilise that provides wheelchair services at O’Hare. While this investigation is still underway, we are already developing a process with our vendor to ensure this does not happen again," American said in a statement.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season