NEW DELHI: The government is looking to reduce cancellation charges for air tickets as it works on a host of new rules for airlines to ensure fair treatment of passengers.
The government is of the view that the cancellation fee should not exceed the base fare, sources said. Aviation regulator DGCA has already held discussions with airlines on this issue.
“Cancellation fees cannot include airport charges, service tax when the passenger hasn’t flown at all,” said an official.
“There are a lot of suggestions we are working on,” civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Wednesday.
Currently, cancellation charges aren’t fixed and range between Rs 1,500 and 100% of the fare.
Among other measures — as reported by HT on June 2 — airlines may have to pay a stiff fine for turning away flyers due to overbooking of flights.
Airlines usually over book seats to reduce the possibility of empty seats. Flyers denied a seat in such circumstances get Rs 2,000-Rs 4,000, which ministry officials believe isn’t enough.
“Also, if one has to buy a ticket on the spot, it costs much more. We are proposing higher compensation,” said a ministry official.
{{/usCountry}}“Also, if one has to buy a ticket on the spot, it costs much more. We are proposing higher compensation,” said a ministry official.
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