'Compensation policy does not benefit air passengers'

Mumbai: Two months after a maiden policy to empower air passengers to seek compensation came into effect, the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI), a body formed by the air travellers, said that the rule is ineffective. The civil aviation ministry data issued on Monday shows that in October airlines
gave away cash compensation worth Rs 6.41 lakh to more than 4,000 passengers for last minute flight cancellations and another Rs 16.10 lakh to 726 flyers denied boarding. More than 27,000 passengers were affected by delays. Airlines gave them full refunds, according to the data.
However, the passenger body alleged that the policy has too many loopholes, which are being misused by airlines to give compensation. “We’ve come across many cases where airlines have completed boarding as per schedule and made passengers wait inside the aircraft for hours. By doing that they show that boarding was on time and blame the air traffic control for the delay while the hold up could be at their end,” said Sudhakar Reddy, national president, APAI.
24/11/10 Soubhik Mitra/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Nov 2010