The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the aviation regulator in India. It has laid down certain regulations for airlines to follow in case of flight cancellations. These regulations are designed to protect the rights of passengers and ensure that they are compensated fairly in case of a cancellation.
What are the rights of passengers when a flight is cancelled?
According to the DGCA regulations, passengers are entitled to the following in case of a flight cancellation:
- A full refund of the ticket price, if they do not wish to travel on an alternate flight.
- An alternate flight to their destination, at no additional cost.
- Meals and refreshments, if they have to wait for an alternate flight.
- Accommodation, if the cancellation results in a delay of more than 24 hours.
- Compensation, if the airline does not notify them of the cancellation at least 24 hours in advance.
How much compensation is payable for a flight cancellation?
The amount of compensation payable to passengers for a flight cancellation depends on the length of the flight. For flights with a block time of up to and including one hour, the compensation is Rs. 5,000. For flights with a block time of more than one hour and up to and including two hours, the compensation is Rs. 7,500. For flights with a block time of more than two hours, the compensation is Rs. 10,000.
What is the block time?
The block time is the total time taken by a flight from the moment it pushes back from the departure gate to the moment it arrives at the destination gate.
How to claim compensation for a flight cancellation?
To claim compensation for a flight cancellation, passengers must first contact the airline. The airline will usually ask them to submit a written complaint. Passengers must also keep all relevant documents, such as their ticket, boarding pass, and proof of expenses incurred due to the cancellation.
If the airline does not pay the compensation within a reasonable time, passengers can approach the DGCA for help. The DGCA has a consumer complaint redressal mechanism that can be used to resolve disputes between passengers and airlines.
What are the exceptions to the DGCA regulations?
The DGCA regulations do not apply in certain cases, such as:
- If the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, such as bad weather or a strike.
- If the passenger is informed of the cancellation less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- If the passenger is offered an alternate flight that arrives at their destination within one hour of the scheduled arrival time.
How to know if your flight is cancelled?
You can check the status of your flight on the airline’s website or app. You can also contact the airline’s customer service department.
If your flight is cancelled, you should act quickly to protect your rights. Contact the airline and ask for a full refund or an alternate flight. If you are not satisfied with the airline’s response, you can approach the DGCA for help.
