The Civil Aviation Ministry on Saturday announced several sops for air passengers including a cap on cancellation charges, steep reduction in fee for carrying 5 kg extra baggage in an aircraft and enhanced compensation for denying boarding by the airline. It also announced some facilities to be provided by airlines and airports for people with reduced mobility.
Both domestic and international airlines operating to and from India will not be allowed to charge cancellation fees more than the basic fare of a ticket. In some cases, it was observed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that cancellation charges were higher than the cost of the ticket due to separate penalty levied by both airline and the travel portal.
The government has asked the airlines to refund all the statutory taxes levied on a cancelled ticket including User Development Fee, Airport Development Fee or Passenger Service Fee. Also, the refund process will have to be completed within 15 working days in case of domestic travel and 30 working days in case of international travel. “It will be the responsibility of the airline to see that the refund of the ticket takes place on time,” Minister of State Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said at a press conference here announcing the passenger-centric initiatives.
As reported by The Hindu earlier this week, from June 15, airlines can only charge passengers Rs 100 for carrying five kg extra baggage on flight. At present, passengers are allowed to carry 15 kg luggage free of cost. The baggage rule will, however, not be applicable on Air India as the airline allows passengers to carry 25 kg luggage without any cost. At present, private airlines charge passengers Rs 250-Rs 350 for carrying each kg extra baggage.
11/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
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Both domestic and international airlines operating to and from India will not be allowed to charge cancellation fees more than the basic fare of a ticket. In some cases, it was observed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that cancellation charges were higher than the cost of the ticket due to separate penalty levied by both airline and the travel portal.
The government has asked the airlines to refund all the statutory taxes levied on a cancelled ticket including User Development Fee, Airport Development Fee or Passenger Service Fee. Also, the refund process will have to be completed within 15 working days in case of domestic travel and 30 working days in case of international travel. “It will be the responsibility of the airline to see that the refund of the ticket takes place on time,” Minister of State Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said at a press conference here announcing the passenger-centric initiatives.
As reported by The Hindu earlier this week, from June 15, airlines can only charge passengers Rs 100 for carrying five kg extra baggage on flight. At present, passengers are allowed to carry 15 kg luggage free of cost. The baggage rule will, however, not be applicable on Air India as the airline allows passengers to carry 25 kg luggage without any cost. At present, private airlines charge passengers Rs 250-Rs 350 for carrying each kg extra baggage.
11/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
