Mumbai: Paying compensation for flight cancellations will not be mandatory for airlines. Domestic carriers would have an option to provide an alternate flight to a passenger impacted by cancellation as per the revised draft of the passenger charter of rights.
Last May, the civil aviation ministry had proposed passenger-friendly measures including a cap on ticket cancellation fee, increased compensation for loss of life or baggage in accidents and payouts for delays and cancellations. But the proposal was put on hold because of objections from airlines, which felt that the charges will impact their already stretched financial condition. The airlines had also asked the government to maintain a status quo on revisions.
A meeting was chaired by the minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha earlier this month to hear airline and airport operators' concerns and finalise the proposal.
The ministry has sought further comments from all the stakeholders and is keen to issue the regulations in the next few weeks.
Currently, airlines are required to pay compensation of Rs 5000 - 10,000 to a passenger in addition to a refund of ticket cost in case of flight cancellation.
Compensation is payable if the airline does not give an advance intimation to the passenger, which is at least 24 hours before departure. In its initial draft released last May, the ministry has made tweaks in that proposal. Now, as per the revised draft airlines shall either provide alternate flight which is acceptable to the passenger or provide compensation and refund of the ticket amount.
31/01/19 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard
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Last May, the civil aviation ministry had proposed passenger-friendly measures including a cap on ticket cancellation fee, increased compensation for loss of life or baggage in accidents and payouts for delays and cancellations. But the proposal was put on hold because of objections from airlines, which felt that the charges will impact their already stretched financial condition. The airlines had also asked the government to maintain a status quo on revisions.
A meeting was chaired by the minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha earlier this month to hear airline and airport operators' concerns and finalise the proposal.
The ministry has sought further comments from all the stakeholders and is keen to issue the regulations in the next few weeks.
Currently, airlines are required to pay compensation of Rs 5000 - 10,000 to a passenger in addition to a refund of ticket cost in case of flight cancellation.
Compensation is payable if the airline does not give an advance intimation to the passenger, which is at least 24 hours before departure. In its initial draft released last May, the ministry has made tweaks in that proposal. Now, as per the revised draft airlines shall either provide alternate flight which is acceptable to the passenger or provide compensation and refund of the ticket amount.
31/01/19 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard
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