Airlines oppose higher payout for delays

Major airlines have rejected the government’s proposal for amending rules to increase compensation for cancellations and delays which flyers are entitled to. The civil aviation ministry’s proposal is a part of a proposed passenger charter.

Sources said the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) had asked the government to maintain status quo over compensation as an increase would affect the financial viability of airlines, leading to rising air fares.

IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and Jet Airways are members of the FIA and collectively command over 80 per cent market share. The FIA said most delays and cancellations arose out of infrastructure constraints at airports, for which the airlines should not be held responsible.

The civil aviation ministry had recommended amending rules governing delays and cancellations. It suggested airlines should offer ~3,000-~20,000 compensation for missed flight connections, a move resisted by airlines.

“An airline cannot be held responsible for destinations beyond

a flight’s final destination or if a guest is booked on other carriers or other modes of transport,” the FIA said.

Airlines have also opposed the proposal for not charging passengers for correcting spelling errors within 24 hours of booking, a move aimed at protecting passengers from having to pay steep cancellation charges.

The government wants airlines to print cancellation charges on tickets. Major airlines responded saying it was not possible for tickets booked online through travel portals or travel agents as it could lead to misuse of airline seat inventory.

Government officials have said views of airlines will be taken into consideration before the rules are placed in the public domain.

“We have had two rounds of preliminary discussions with airlines, airports and few other industry participants. This has helped us develop a good first draft of the passenger charter that we can now place in the public domain for consultation,” said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.

“WE HAD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH AIRLINES, AIRPORTS AND OTHER INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS. THIS HAS HELPED US DEVELOP A GOOD FIRST DRAFT OF THE PASSENGER CHARTER THAT WE CAN NOW PLACE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN FOR CONSULTATION” Jayant Sinha Minister of State for Civil Aviation