New rules for friendly travel

passengers.

The draft rules also direct that if a passenger is informed about flight cancellation between two weeks and 24 hours of the departure time, the airline has to offer an alternate flight allowing the passenger to depart within two hours of the booked scheduled departure time or else refund the ticket amount, whichever is acceptable to the passenger. In case the passenger is informed about the flight cancellation less than 24 hours of departure time, the airlines has to refund the full value of the air ticket.

According to the draft rules, the minimum compensation for loss of baggage will be ` 3,000 per kg while it will be ` 1,000 per kg for either delayed or damaged baggage.

Cancellation charges also have to be printed prominently on the ticket in a minimum font size of 12. Airlines also cannot levy any additional charges for correction in the name of the person on the ticket when name correction is required upto three characters only, and when the error in the spelling of the name is pointed out by the passenger to the airline within 24 hours of the booking.

The draft rules also state both domestic and international airlines have been allowed to offer Internet services and mobile services on board.

“All approvals have been recently provided and now interested stakeholders need to apply for licences and regulatory clearances,” the draft rules state. It adds mobile services can be allowed only when an aircraft is at an altitude of over 3,000 metres.

The proposed rules also stipulate that airlines should block seats with adequate leg space for persons with disabilities and these should remain blocked till close to the time of departure.

The draft rules also cover the proposed “digi- yatra” scheme of the government, under which passengers can exercise the option of electronic identification at airports using their Aadhaar card number for a seamless travel experience.

The draft rules will be finalised after getting responses from the stakeholders.