Relief from Cancellation Charge, Wi-Fi Onboard: Govt Releases First Draft of Passengers Charter

New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday released the first draft of the passengers’ charter, spelling out rules for cancellation fee, compensation for missing connecting flight and plans to introduce wifi services in flights.

Here’s a look at the proposed regulations that will come into effect after being approved by the Union Cabinet:

Flight Cancellation

If passenger is informed about cancellation of flight less than two weeks before and up to 24 hours of the scheduled departure time, the airline must offer alternate flight allowing the passenger to depart within two hours of the booked scheduled departure time or refund the ticket, as acceptable to the passenger

Flight Delays

If flight delay is communicated more than 24 hours prior to original scheduled time and the flight is delayed for more than four hours, the airline has to offer an option of full refund of ticket

Compensation Upon Missing Connecting Flight

If a passenger misses a connecting flight due to over three-hour delay, the compensation would be Rs 5,000. For delays of 4-12 hours and more than 12 hours, it would be Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.

Refund on Tickets

Airline to provide Lock-in option for 24 hours after booking ticket where ticket can be cancelled without any charges. This facility available to passenger up to 96 hours prior to flight departure

Cancellation charges to be printed prominently on ticket

Airline and their agents together should not levy cancellation charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge.

Wifi Onboard

- Internet services can be provided from the moment a plane takes off and personal electronic devices have to be put on flight mode

- Mobile services can be allowed only when an aircraft is over an altitude of 3,000 metres

AirSewa

A revamp of the AirSewa mobile and web application is on the cards to make flight booking and cancellation easier for passengers. It will also enable users to login to AirSewa using their social media ids in a safe manner.

Speaking to News18 on the proposed rules, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said, “Airlines will have to follow (the rules) once this charter becomes the law of the land. We have consulted all stakeholders. Cancellation charges relief is much-needed for passengers and we are committed to giving that to Indian passengers."

Sinha added that passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity in flights within two months of airlines obtaining licences for the same.