Mumbai-based consumer body urges aviation minister to issue fresh advisory for air travel refunds

Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP), a non-government organisation for consumer protection, has written to aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri to issue fresh advisories to airlines and travel portals for air travel refunds in view of the June 4 United Nations (UN) guidelines.

Referring to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s uniform guidelines for all UN member states, MGP on Tuesday requested the government to protect the rights of consumers by directing airlines to offer full refund on air tickets without cancellation charges on flights that did not operate due to government restrictions (even if the passengers have not applied for refund) and the ones who had to cancel their flight journey because of Covid-19.

It also asked the government to offer credit vouchers with extended validity only if it is acceptable to passengers. Currently, airlines are offering credit vouchers that are valid up to one year for the same sector. For instance, a passenger who had booked a Mumbai- Delhi flight for May 15 can fly until May 15, 2021 with no change in the destination airport along with additional ticket charges if applicable.

However, UNCTAD guidelines, issued last week, ask airlines to be fair to the consumers. MGP had earlier requested UNCTAD for the same in the interest of consumer rights. The NGO had requested UNCTAD to consider issuing uniform guidelines to UN member states to issue advisory for airlines protecting consumers’ right to refund and at the same time consider making the financial burden of airlines lighter by offering more flexible, transferable credit vouchers with longer validity without making it compulsory.

MGP in the letter to the minister said, “We are very happy to inform you that UNCTAD secretariat has acceded our request and has issued guidelines dated 4th June 2020 for the UN member states (Copy enclosed herewith) which, in short, wants airlines to respect air passengers’ right to refund for flights cancelled due to lockdown and says that airlines should not deny refund of ticket amounts. Taking note of difficulties faced by airlines, UNCTAD guidelines also state that airlines may issue credit vouchers, on more attractive terms, for those passengers who are willing to accept the same.”

The Union ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) had on April 16 directed airlines to refund ticket amounts to passengers without levying cancellation charges. However, the directions have not been seen to be followed by the airlines.

MGP urged Puri to refund the amount for passengers who booked the tickets not only during lockdown but also pre-lockdown and extended periods. The body has, hence, asked Puri to issue new revised guidelines for refund on air tickets for the flights which could not operate during lockdown period and also for the passengers, who had cancelled their travel plans as per government’s advisories.

MGP had conducted a seven-day online survey of air passengers from India, the UAE, Kuwait, Georgia, France, the UK, the USA and Canada. The findings of the survey showed that 86% of respondents insisted on cash refund only and rejected the option of credit voucher.

“The Survey has also revealed that large numbers of air travellers are contemplating to go to court of law for seeking legitimate refund. We are attaching herewith the important findings of this survey for your information,” said advocate Shirish Deshpande, chairman of MGP.

MGP also suggested that the minister arrange a meeting with all the stakeholders, including all domestic and international airlines, travel agents and travel web portals by the ministry, within a week to discuss a mutually-accepted solution in the passenger’s interest.

Source: https://m.hindustantimes.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vistara Domestic Premium Economy vs. Economy – Is The Upgrade Worth It?

Economy on Vistara As one of only two  full-service carriers  in India, Vistara offers a high-quality economy product. On its A320, which used on most domestic routes, it offers 18-inch wide seats with a pitch of 29-30 inches. While this does sound standard, the well-padded seats and adjustable headrest make for a much more comfortable offering than its low-cost competitors. The seats also offer an acceptable 3″ recline. In terms of service, Vistara is one of the few airlines offering hot meals on domestic routes (minus short routes under an hour). All economy passengers, except those booked on Economy Lite fares, receive a meal along with hot or cold beverages. From personal experience, the meals are good and enough for domestic hops. For those traveling on Lite fares, only complimentary hot beverages are available. Vistara also has a small buy-on-board menu, which features packaged snacks and drinks, along with some hot instant meals. Originally, the airline served all passenger’s me
Read more

Why the Airbus A340 Has A Middle Landing Gear

Image
The  Airbus A340  was specially designed for long haul flying and had something not seen with other widebody aircraft flying today. It was a unique middle landing gear that allowed the plane to take off with heavier loads and carry more fuel for its four hungry engines. What is the middle landing gear? If you have ever looked carefully at a picture of an A340 (or if you are lucky, in real life), you might have noticed an extra landing gear on the belly in the middle of the plane. Here it is on a Virgin Atlantic  Airbus A340-600  to the rear of the aircraft. Looking at the bottom of an A340 you’ll see that there are already two other sets of landing gears under the wings, why would an aircraft need a third in the middle? Why some A340s have the middle landing gear Plain and simple, the extra landing gear allows the A340 aircraft to have a higher MTOW (maximum take-off weight). This means more passengers and cargo, plus more fuel to go a longer distance. Perfect for t
Read more

Preparing To Start Domestic Flight Operations Within A Week: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri

The domestic flight operations are likely to resume within a week, says Union Civil Aviation Minister  Hardeep Singh Puri . The commercial flight operations remain suspended since March 24 after the announcement of nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. In an interview with  Outlook ’s  Preetha Nair , the Union Minister also talks about the government’s massive plan to evacuate stranded Indians and the logistical challenges involved. He also says a decision on operating flights between green zones of the country will soon be taken. You have hinted that the commercial flight operations are set to begin after May 15 in a calibrated way. Can you elaborate? We are preparing to start domestic flight operations even before May 15. My effort will be to try and move in the direction of starting it very soon. I can’t put a date on it because when you are planning evacuation operations, you need the co-operation of the state governments. In order to open up domestic civil avia
Read more