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Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati addressing a press conference on 'Passenger Centric Initiatives', in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI
The government is considering a slew of measures in order to make air travel more passenger friendly.
A reduction in fee for checked-in luggage beyond the permitted limit, better refund policy with a cap on cancellation charges and steep compensation for denial of seats are some of the proposals, Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said here on Saturday.
Currently, passengers are allowed to take free checked-in baggage up to 15 kg, beyond which they were charged Rs 300 per kg. According to the new proposal, the flyer will be charged only Rs 100 per extra kg up to 20 kg. Raju also said under no circumstances should the cancellation charge be more than the basic fare.
It has been proposed that airlines must refund money within 15 working days for domestic travel and 30 working days in the case of international travel, and should not levy any additional charge for the process. Refunds will be applicable even on promotional offers and special fares and where the basic fare is non-refundable.
Airlines would also have to refund all statutory taxes and User Development Fee in case of cancellation or non-utilisation of tickets or no show.
Passengers will also have the option of holding the refund amount in credit shell. “It shall be the prerogative of the passenger to decide whether to get cash refund or hold the amount in credit,” Raju said.
It has been proposed that the onus of the refund of tickets, which are booked through a travel agent or portal, would be on the carriers. For foreign airlines, the refund would be in accordance with the regulations of their respective countries while the mode of refund would be governed by Indian norms.
In case of seats being denied due to over-booking, the compensation should be an amount equal to 400% of the booked one-way basic fare and airline fuel charge, and the maximum would be Rs 20,000 if the alternate flight is arranged after 24 hours.
If the alternate flight is arranged in 24 hours, an amount equal to 200% of the booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge subject to the maximum limit of Rs 10,000 would be given.
A reduction in fee for checked-in luggage beyond the permitted limit, better refund policy with a cap on cancellation charges and steep compensation for denial of seats are some of the proposals, Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said here on Saturday.
Currently, passengers are allowed to take free checked-in baggage up to 15 kg, beyond which they were charged Rs 300 per kg. According to the new proposal, the flyer will be charged only Rs 100 per extra kg up to 20 kg. Raju also said under no circumstances should the cancellation charge be more than the basic fare.
It has been proposed that airlines must refund money within 15 working days for domestic travel and 30 working days in the case of international travel, and should not levy any additional charge for the process. Refunds will be applicable even on promotional offers and special fares and where the basic fare is non-refundable.
Airlines would also have to refund all statutory taxes and User Development Fee in case of cancellation or non-utilisation of tickets or no show.
Passengers will also have the option of holding the refund amount in credit shell. “It shall be the prerogative of the passenger to decide whether to get cash refund or hold the amount in credit,” Raju said.
It has been proposed that the onus of the refund of tickets, which are booked through a travel agent or portal, would be on the carriers. For foreign airlines, the refund would be in accordance with the regulations of their respective countries while the mode of refund would be governed by Indian norms.
In case of seats being denied due to over-booking, the compensation should be an amount equal to 400% of the booked one-way basic fare and airline fuel charge, and the maximum would be Rs 20,000 if the alternate flight is arranged after 24 hours.
If the alternate flight is arranged in 24 hours, an amount equal to 200% of the booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge subject to the maximum limit of Rs 10,000 would be given.
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