Mumbai: Maharashtra former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai have urged the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to enforce consumer protection laws so that the airline operators can provide cash refunds for air tickets cancelled during lockdown in a specific time frame.
In a letter written to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, Chavan argued that not refunding cost of air tickets for cancelled flights is an ‘’abuse of consumer rights.’’ On the other hand, Desai in his communication to Puri has urged the airlines to design satisfactory voluntary voucher schemes for those consumers who are frequent flyers and are not seeking a refund on their cancelled tickets.
Chavan said the unprecedented nationwide lockdown due to COVIDE 19 has brought businesses to a screeching halt. Airlines had to suddenly cancel an estimated 4.5 million flights worldwide.
‘’Indian consumers, who had to cancel their flight tickets after the announcement of lockdown, are entitled to receive cash refunds. According to the Consumer Protection Act, the contract between the consumers and the airline gives the right to consumers to seek a cash refund. Many airlines including Air India are not honouring this contract and compelling the passengers to accept vouchers for future travel without giving any option of cash refund,’’ Chavan said. He further stated that not all consumers however, are willing to accept a voucher for future travel and in some cases the airlines are misinforming the consumers on refund policies.
15/06/20 Sanjay Jog/Free Press Journal
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In a letter written to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, Chavan argued that not refunding cost of air tickets for cancelled flights is an ‘’abuse of consumer rights.’’ On the other hand, Desai in his communication to Puri has urged the airlines to design satisfactory voluntary voucher schemes for those consumers who are frequent flyers and are not seeking a refund on their cancelled tickets.
Chavan said the unprecedented nationwide lockdown due to COVIDE 19 has brought businesses to a screeching halt. Airlines had to suddenly cancel an estimated 4.5 million flights worldwide.
‘’Indian consumers, who had to cancel their flight tickets after the announcement of lockdown, are entitled to receive cash refunds. According to the Consumer Protection Act, the contract between the consumers and the airline gives the right to consumers to seek a cash refund. Many airlines including Air India are not honouring this contract and compelling the passengers to accept vouchers for future travel without giving any option of cash refund,’’ Chavan said. He further stated that not all consumers however, are willing to accept a voucher for future travel and in some cases the airlines are misinforming the consumers on refund policies.
15/06/20 Sanjay Jog/Free Press Journal
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