TLI Staff
New Delhi: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is in the process of amending its provisions to protect the rights of air travelers affected by downgrading of ticket, an official statement said on Friday.
The government said that in view of rapid expansion of air services within India and on international routes to/from India and with the increase in the volume of passenger traffic, it has been noticed that sometimes airlines downgrade passengers (tickets).
“In order to cater to such situations, DGCA is in the process of amending its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section-3, Series M Part IV “Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights.” to protect the rights of air travelers affected by downgrading of their ticket,” said the media release.
The amendment will allow the passenger, who is downgraded involuntarily from his booked class of ticket, to receive the full value of ticket including taxes as refund from the airline and the airline will carry the passenger free of cost in the next available class.
However, this proposal will go through stakeholder consultation and the final regulation shall be published and made applicable afterwards.