Civil aviation regulator DGCA has stated that airlines are denying boarding to passengers even once they report for his or her flights on the airport on time.
The regulator has warned airlines and in an electronic mail on May 2 — requested all Indian carriers to give compensation and amenities to passengers affected by such denial of boarding, failing which it will will impose monetary penalties on them.
“It has come to the notice of this office that various airlines are denying boarding to passengers holding confirmed ticket on a flight, although they have presented themselves for boarding within the time specified by the airline. This practice is extremely unfair to the passengers and brings a bad name to the aviation industry,” Rohit Thakur, an officer with the regulator wrote.
Airline executives say that in case a passenger will not be allowed to board although he has reported on time that is due to over booking- a suitable observe the place an airline sells extra tickets than they’ve seats on the aircraft. This is to be certain that they don’t have any empty seats in case of cancellations.
The DGCA has requested airlines to comply with laid down rules in case a passenger is denied boarding.
The 2010 regulation of the DGCA states that when the variety of passengers who’ve been given tickets for a flight and have reported on the airport for boarding the flight on time are greater than the variety of seats on a flight, the airline should first ask for volunteers to hand over their seats in trade for sure advantages.
However, within the absence of sufficient volunteers, the airline can evade giving any compensation if the affected passenger — who has been denied boarding as the unique flight is overbooked — is given a ticket on another flight that’s departing inside one hour of the unique flight’s departure.
The airline has to give an quantity equal to 200 per cent of primary fare plus gas cost in case the alternate flight is scheduled to depart inside 24 hours of the unique flight’s departure.
The airline has to give an quantity equal to 400 per cent of the fundamental fare plus gas cost in case the alternate flight is scheduled to depart greater than 24 hours after the unique flight’s departure, as per the regulation.
In case the affected passenger doesn’t go for alternate flight, refund of full worth of ticket and compensation, equal to 400 per cent of primary fare plus gas cost, has to be given, the regulation stated.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has just lately requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation That the provisions ought to be strictly enforced in order that passengers are not inconvenienced.
It has additionally advisable that within the case of cancellation or delay of flights, a provision ought to be compulsorily made by airlines to present a ready corridor or VIP lounge for the passengers and meals, water and snacks also needs to be served to them for which the bills for a similar ought to be borne by the involved airlines.
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