AIRLINE LIABLE TO PAY FOR DENYING BOARDING

With airlines flying out of their slowdown-induced financial troubles, the government seems to be finally turning its attention to the hapless passengers.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday revived its over three-year-old plan of asking airlines to compensate flyers for wrongly denying boarding in overbooked flights and sudden cancellations that leave scores stranded across the country daily. Also, airlines including budget carriers— will be asked to provide meals, refreshments or even accommodation in case of delays if the regulator is able to translate its draft rule into reality this time by overcoming stiff resistance from powerful industry players.

Inviting public comments on these draft rules, DGCA has proposed three slabs of compensation in cases of forcible denial of boarding to those who have confirmed tickets and who report to airport in time, and sudden cancellations without prior information: up to Rs 2,000 for flights of an hours duration; up to Rs 3,000 for one to two hour-long flights and up to Rs 4,000 for longer flights. The other option for passengers would be to opt for alternate transport arrangements arranged by the airline or taking the next flight to their destination. Airlines shall first ask for volunteers to accommodate overbooked passengers who want to be on that flight.

However, airlines will not be liable to pay fines for delays or cancellations caused by events beyond their control like political instability, natural disaster, civil war, riot, strikes, ATC issues and unexpected flight safety shortcomings.