The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has laid down the requirements in case a passenger with a valid ticket and who has arrived on time is denied boarding. The DGCA has published a statement in response to the circumstances. According to the DGCA in an official statement, if an airline is able to make alternate travel arrangements for the above passenger within one hour, no compensation is required to be paid to the passenger.
However, if the airline is able to provide alternative arrangements within the next 24 hours, a compensation of up to Rs 10,000 is prescribed, it said. It further said that compensation up to Rs 20,000 has been prescribed for more than 24 hours. “Our terms on this subject are consistent with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and similar regulations are followed globally. To give due respect to passenger rights,” the statement read.
Recently, DGCA issued strict instructions to all domestic airlines to follow the said rule in letter and spirit. “After that, a series of investigations were done by the DGCA and during our surveillance in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi, there were specific instances in the case of Air India – where the regulation is not being followed, and hence, a show- airline. was issued a cause notice, and a personal hearing was also held,” it said. Have an estimate.
Read also: Air India fined Rs 10 lakh for refusing boarding, not paying compensation to passengers
This is a matter of grave concern and unacceptable, to say the least. In specific cases detailed in the SCN, through AI submissions, as part of enforcement action, the competent authority has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh,” the DGCA said.
(with inputs from ANI)