India’s domestic airlines have opposed a government proposal to significantly increase mandatory compensation for delays or cancellations, warning that airfares will have to rise.
Regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation proposed compensation up to INR20,000 depending upon the number of hours of disruption if connecting flights are missed.
It is part of a consumer bill of rights outlining the responsibilities of air carriers to their customers.
GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet have opposed it outright while Vistara said there should at least be a sliding scale based on domestic and international journeys.
DGCA also proposed a payment of INR5,000 for ‘forced’ denial of boarding when flights are overbooked and an increase in compensation for loss of baggage.
Additionally, passengers should be allowed to deplane when tarmac delays reach two hours.
The airlines say airfares in India are among the lowest in the world and will be forced to ‘pass on the cost’ to customers if required to pay compensation.
