Airlines may not pay compensation for flight cancellation, says report

Airlines may not compensate passengers for flight cancellations as per a revised draft of the passenger charter of rights, Business Standard reported, adding that domestic airlines will now have the option to provide alternate flights to passengers affected by cancellations.

Last year in May, the civil aviation ministry had proposed passenger friendly measures

such as cap on ticket cancellation fee, increased compensation for loss of life or baggage in accidents, and payouts for delays and cancellation, the report said.

Domestic airlines, with their several financial woes, however objected to the measures. In a meeting last month with the civil aviation minister Jayant Sinha, the airline operators placed their concerns and finalised a proposal, the report added.

Presently, airlines are mandated to pay Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to a passenger in compensation to a ticket refund in case of flight cancellation, the report said, adding that the airlines are required to pay in case the passengers are not intimidated 24 hours before the departure.