DGCA norms on relief for passengers
The DGCA on Monday issued a proposed draft regulation that stipulates compensation to be paid to passengers by airlines in case of them being denied boarding on flights, and in case of flight cancellations without notice to passengers but appears to have lowered the proposed compensation by about 60 to 66 per cent compared to its first draft regulation issued two years ago.
According to the freshly-issued draft regulation on “facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights” on Monday, the DGCA stated that if a passenger is denied boarding against his will on account of overbooking by the airline despite the fact that the passenger has a confirmed booking, he is entitled to compensation.
The compensation slabs are Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs, 4,000 — depending on the “block time” of the flight (mentioned in the ticket) —— or the value of the ticket or whichever is less. This compensation is also payable to passengers in case of flight cancellations when the passenger has not been informed well in advance. However, in an earlier draft regulation on the same subject issued on June 1, 2008, the DGCA had proposed the compensation slabs to be Rs 5,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 12,000 depending on the distance of the flight. At that time, airlines had protested, saying the compensation slabs would weaken them financially. In several previous instances, passengers have complained about airlines refusing to give them a timely refund in case of overbooking or flight cancellations, with airlines insisting passengers instead take flights scheduled later.
In case of flight delays beyond a stipulated period of time (finalised vis-a-vis the block time), passengers are to be offered meals and refreshments apart from hotel accommodation when necessary.
The financial compensation will not be paid in case cancellations are on account of “extraordinary circumstances” beyond the control of the airline or in case passengers have not provided adequate contact information at the time of booking.
Offers by the airline of alternate transportation to the destination are also listed as part of the compensation, as per the DGCA draft regulation issued on Monday.
Post new comment