April 16, 2026 12:16 pm (IST)
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Aviation ministry pushes for air passenger-friendly amendments
New Delhi, Jun 11 (IBNS): Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju proposed several passenger friendly measures to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday, which includes cap on excess baggage charges, change in refund rules, etc.
Along with Minister of State, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Gajapathi Raju was attending a presentation by the DGCA regarding passenger-centric initiatives.
In the presentation, the first category of amendments have been made in Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) related to “refund of air tickets”.
In the presentation, the first category of amendments have been made in Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) related to “refund of air tickets”.
The Ministry has proposed that the refund process should be completed within 15 working days in case of domestic travel and 30 working days in case of international travel.
It also proposed that in case of cancellation of tickets, statutory taxes and user development fee/airport development fee/passenger service fee shall be refunded.
The Ministry has also proposed in this category that under no circumstances cancellation shall be more than the basic fair.
In the second category of CARs related to “denied boarding, flight cancellation and flight delays”, the Ministry has proposed that an amount equal to 200 per cent of booked one way basic fair plus airline fuel charge subject to maximum of Rs 10,000 would be paid to passengers in case airline arranges alternate flight that is to depart after one hour but within 24 hours of the booked scheduled departure.
In the third category of CARs relating to facilities to be provided to “persons with reduced mobility”, the airlines shall develop a procedure for making advance request of stretcher and same should be displayed on airline’s website.
Airlines, airport operators, security personnel, customs and immigration shall conduct training programme, as per training module provided by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, for all their personnel engaged in passenger services for sensitization and developing awareness for assisting persons with disability or reduced mobility.
Foreign carriers operating to/from India shall refund the tickets in accordance with regulations of their country of origin.
With regard to checked-in baggage charges, the Ministry has proposed that the airline should restrict additional baggage charge to Rs 100 per kg for baggage between 15 and 20 kg.
At the meeting on Sautrday, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the Ministry will strive to take the Indian airline Industry to the third position from its present ninth position.
The proposal will be put up on the Ministry’s website for 15 days during which stakeholders are free to give their suggestions and comments. After this, the Ministry will finalise the proposed amendments and implement them.
# flight cancellation
#ticket refunds
#excess baggage
#passengers with disabilities
#DGCA
#Ashok Gajapathy Raju
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