DGCA fines Air India for not compensating flyers; directs airlines to put systems in place to resolve issue
On Tuesday the civil aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a fine of Rs.10 lakh on Tata group-owned Air India for denying boarding to passengers who held a valid ticket.
The action by the regulator comes after multiple reports of flyers being denied boarding by airlines despite being in possession of valid tickets and reporting at the airport on time. The DGCA conducted ground checks at a few airports before slapping a fine on the airline.
Passengers who are denied boarding and can’t be provided with a ticket on an alternative flight departing within one hour of the original flight’s departure need to be compensated, as per DGCA rules.
The regulator said in a statement, “After going through submissions of the airline, as part of enforcement action, the competent authority has levied a penalty of Rs.10 lakh. In addition, the airline has been advised to immediately put the systems in place to resolve the issue, failing which further action shall be taken by DGCA.”
“In the case of Air India — where the regulation is not being followed — a show-cause notice was issued to the airline and also a personal hearing was afforded. It appears that the airline does not have a policy in this regard and is not paying any compensation to hapless passengers, whose numbers can be anybody’s guess,” the regulator said in a statement.
Last month, the regulator warned airlines to give compensation and facilities to passengers affected by such denial of boarding. It said it would impose financial penalties on airlines that fail to do so.
[With Inputs from IANS]
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