The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Offering some relief to passengers has directed airlines to refund full fares without any cancellation fees for flights booked during the first lockdown from March 25 to April 14 for travel between March 25 and May 3. However, ambiguity still remains on refunds for tickets booked months in advance for the summer period for leisure and business.
βGrievances were received from air travellers regarding a refund for flights cancelled because of the nationwide lockdown to combat COVID-19. Advisories have been issued regarding a refund for both domestic and international tickets booked for the flights suspended due to lockdown," said Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Civil Aviation.
He said for tickets booked during the first lockdown stretching from March 25 till April 14, for which payments were received by airlines, have to be refunded within three weeks of a request for cancellation from the passengers without levying any cancellation charges.
A similar refund process would have to be followed for those who have booked tickets during the first lockdown period for travel during the second lockdown starting April 15 till May 3, Puri said.
Airlines had since the first week of April resumed bookings for travel after 14 April anticipating that the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 would be lifted. Once the lockdown was extended, airlines deferred the resumption of flights to 4 May. Most airlines have also waived off rescheduling fees for tickets booked during the lockdown period and asked passengers to reschedule their travel plans to a later date.
Senior aviation ministry officials recently met airline officials, including chief executive officers, to discuss advance ticket bookings during the lockdown period.
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