If the airline downgrades the ticket or denies boarding to the passenger, then that airline will have to refund that passenger including taxes.
new Delhi. Civil aviation regulator DGCA will soon issue rules for compensation to passengers whose travel tickets have been ‘downgraded’ by airlines without their consent. DGCA is going to take this step in view of increasing complaints about downgrading of tickets issued to passengers without their consent. If the airline downgrades the ticket or denies boarding to the passenger, then that airline will have to refund that passenger including taxes.
The DGCA said in a statement on Friday that under these amendments, it will be ensured that airlines will provide full refund including ticket tax to passengers for downgrading their tickets without their consent. Apart from this, that airline will also provide free travel to that passenger in the next available flight.
Refund will be available in these situations
DGCA is preparing to amend its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) rule. CAR is related to facilities provided by airlines to passengers due to denial of boarding, cancellation of flights and delay in flights. In this, provisions will be made to protect the rights of passengers regarding downgrading of tickets. Also, if the flight is cancelled, a fine of up to Rs 10,000 can also be imposed on the airline. If boarding is denied, then there is also a proposal to impose a fine of Rs 20,000.
Rules may be applicable till February next year
A senior DGCA official said that the new rules may come into force in February next year. For this, DGCA has appealed to all the stakeholders to give suggestions and objections in 30 days. If this draft gets the green signal in every way, then air passengers will get a big relief in the coming times. Their troubles will be reduced.
