The aviation regulator has imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Akasa Air for failing to compensate 7 passengers denied boarding on a Sept 6 Bengaluru-Pune flight. TOI looks at compensation norms for being denied boarding.
September incidentThe aircraft scheduled for the route was grounded and the replacement aircraft had nine non-operational seats. So Akasa transferred 7 passengers to an IndiGo flight that departed nearly two hours later.
The question is: how does flight time difference between original and alternative flights decide quantum of compensation?
The rules - Airlines can legally deny boarding. To reduce the possibility of flight departing with empty seats (some passengers don’t show up) airlines can overbook flights to a limited extent.
- When more passengers report than the number of available seats, the airline must deny boarding to some.
- If the offloaded passenger is booked on an alternative flight that departs within an hour of the original flight’s scheduled departure, the airline need not pay compensation.
- Else, the airline must pay compensation that is equal to 200% of the booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, or Rs 10,000, whichever is lower.
For much delayed departure- 400%of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge or Rs 20,000, whichever lower, should be compensation if the alternative flight departs more than 24 hours after the original flight’s time.
- If a passenger does not opt for alternate flight, full ticket refund and compensation equal to 400% of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge or Rs 20,000 should be paid.
The Akasa case - The 7 passengers should have been paid Rs 10,000 each.
Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.