India unveils air passenger bill of rights
India’s civil aviation ministry has released its draft air passenger charter which will regulate online travel agents for the first time.
Under the proposal customers will be able to cancel flight tickets free of charge within 24 hours of booking as long as it is at least four days before scheduled departure date.
Customers are also entitled to claim a refund if a flight is delayed for more four hours and fliers who miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by the airline may be refunded up to INR20,000.
The supply of free snacks and drinks will kick in for passengers stuick on the tarmac for more than one hour and should be deplaned once the delay reaches two hours, the passenger charter states.
"If a passenger is informed about the cancellation of his flight less than two weeks before and up to 24 hours of the scheduled departure time, the airline must offer an alternative flight that allows the passenger to depart within two hours of the booked scheduled departure time or allows the refund of his ticket," it says.
"Moreover, if a passenger is denied boarding due to over-booking, the airline is liable to pay a compensation of INR5,000 or more, depending on the ticket value."
The draft document will go through a public consultation period for 30 days and amendments may be added subject to the feedback.
The ministry will then issue the final version by mid-July.
The charter document also sets out minimum compensation for lost, delayed or damaged luggage in transit.
Civil aviation secretary RN Choubey also said online travel portals will also be regulated to ensure cancellation charges are displayed prominently in a readable font on all reservation and ticket documentation.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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