Airlines want DGCA penalty clause waived

Mumbai: If airlines have their way, then the penalty proposed by the director general of civil aviation (DGCA) in case of cancellation or delay of flight and denial of boarding will remain a pie in the sky for the passengers.
Industry insiders said airlines were putting a lot of pressure on the government to waive off the penalty clause proposed by the DGCA or to reduce it to the basic fare level, which in many cases is as low as Rs99.
The airlines want the penalty to be reduced to the level of base fare to tide over the financial losses they are suffering due to the sky-high prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
“We are committed to provide better services to our passengers. But condition of penalty is unfair. Especially because there are so many reasons which can cause delays or cancellation of flight. And all the airlines do their level best to minimise the inconvenience to passengers in such situation,” said an official from the second largest private airline.
However, frequent fliers were shocked to learn about the demands being made by the airlines. Sudeep Chatterjee, 27, an assistant manager with a private firm in Mumbai, flies at least twice a month to Delhi for work. His two-way ticket costs him minimum Rs12,000 on a low-cost airline out of which Rs6,900 adds up to taxes and surcharge (t&a).
18/08/08 Navita/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2008