Good news for flyers! Passenger charter to provide flight delays compensation may be cleared this year

The passenger charter as well as the air cargo policy to compensate passengers for flight delays are likely to be finalised this year. Passengers would be compensated Rs 20,000 if they miss connecting flights and the delay is over 12 hours under the proposed draft charter

The customers will be given Rs 10,000 if the delay is between 4-12 hours. Image source: PTI

The passenger charter as well as the air cargo policy to compensate passengers for flight delays are likely to be finalised this year. Passengers would be compensated Rs 20,000 if they miss connecting flights and the delay is over 12 hours under the proposed draft charter. The customers will be given Rs 10,000 if the delay is between 4-12 hours. The aviation sector in India is clocking double-digit growth for more than two years, making it one of the fastest growing aviation market in the world and this growth can be hit if services do not improve adequately.

Domestic air passenger volume surged 26 per cent to 11.51 million in April this year compared to the year-ago period. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said this year his ministry will finalise the cargo policy and the intra-city chopper services too. The new policy will help grow air cargo services and fueling growth of the sector, Prabhu said. The draft air passenger charter will address issues related to flight delays, cancellations and others.

The aviation ministry has put the draft charter in public domain for discussion. The government is also pushing for helicopter services to various regions. Under UDAN regional connectivity scheme, the government is trying ensure that all regions of the country have air transport connection. Helicopter operators are also bidding for various regional routes.

Under the scheme, the air connectivity in unserved and under-served regions will be more affordable. Pawan Hans Ltd will start heli-taxi service between Chandigarh and Shimla from June 4.

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Suresh Prabhu