Flight refund norms and rules In India

In 2000, flight refund norms in India may have varied depending on the airline and their specific policies. However, I can provide you with some general information about flight refund norms during that time.

 

1.     Refundable and Non-refundable Tickets: Airlines typically offered both refundable and non-refundable ticket options. Refundable tickets were more expensive but allowed passengers to receive a refund in case of cancellation. Non-refundable tickets were cheaper but did not offer a refund option.

 

2.     Cancellation Charges: Airlines often applied cancellation charges to refundable tickets. These charges were deducted from the ticket fare before issuing a refund. The amount of cancellation charges varied based on factors such as the fare type, destination, and notice period of cancellation.

 

3.     Refund Processing Time: Refund processing times could vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months. The airline's internal processes and administrative procedures determined the duration of the refund processing.

 

4.     Partial Refunds: If a passenger used only a portion of a round-trip ticket and cancelled the remaining portion, some airlines allowed for a partial refund. The refund amount would be calculated based on the unused portion of the ticket.

 

5.     Documentation and Procedures: Passengers were typically required to contact the airline's customer service or ticketing office to initiate the refund process. They may have been asked to provide relevant details such as the ticket number, passenger name, and reason for cancellation. Some airlines may have required the submission of physical documents, such as the original ticket or a refund request form.

·         The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced modifications to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) regarding passengers who are unable to board due to denied boarding, airline cancellations, or flight delays. Under the new regulations, if travelers are unintentionally downgraded to a lower class than what they paid for, they will be entitled to reimbursement from the airline.

·         For domestic flights, airlines will reimburse 75 percent of the ticket costs to passengers who have been downgraded. In the case of international flights, the reimbursement amount will vary between 30 percent and 75 percent of the ticket costs, including taxes, based on the distance covered by the specific flight.

·         These revised norms came into effect on February 15, according to a senior official at the DGCA. The modifications were implemented in response to complaints from air travelers about their tickets being downgraded by airlines despite booking a particular class.

·         Previously, in December of the previous year, the DGCA had proposed that airlines should provide a full refund for such downgraded tickets, including taxes, and offer affected passengers free transportation in the next available class. However, these proposals have been revised to align with international practices.

·         The DGCA has amended its CAR related to the facilities that airlines must provide to passengers in cases of denied boarding, flight cancellations, and delays. The amended regulation allows passengers who are involuntarily downgraded to a lower class than what they purchased to be reimbursed by the airline.

·         For downgraded domestic flight tickets, passengers will receive 75 percent of the ticket cost, including taxes, from the airline. In the case of downgraded international tickets, the reimbursement will be 30 percent for flights covering a distance of 1,500 kilometers or less, 50 percent for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and 75 percent for flights covering more than 3,500 kilometers.

·         The DGCA stated that these changes were made to enhance the rights of air travelers affected by the downgrading of their tickets.

 It's important to note that these details are provided based on common industry practices during that period. However, specific policies could have varied among airlines, and it is advisable to consult the airline directly or refer to their terms and conditions for accurate and up-to-date information regarding flight refunds in 2000.