Following multiple reports of passengers being denied boarding by a variety of airlines despite having legitimate tickets and arriving on time, the action was taken.
Digital Desk: The Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Air India for denying
boarding to passengers holding valid tickets.
"After going through AI
submissions, the competent authority has levied a penalty of Rs 10 lakh as part
of enforcement action." In addition, the airline has been advised to
immediately put the systems in place to resolve the issue, failing which DGCA
shall take further action, "the aviation watchdog said in a statement.
Following multiple reports of passengers being denied
boarding by a variety of airlines despite having legitimate tickets and
arriving on time, the action was taken. Despite the fact that guidelines were
in existence, the DGCA found that several airlines were not following them
after performing a series of checks in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi.
The airline was served with a show-cause notice as well
as a personal hearing.
"It appears that the airline does not have a policy
in this area and is not paying any compensation to hapless passengers, whose
numbers are unknown," according to the DGCA.
The DGCA established guidelines for denying a passenger
boarding despite a valid ticket, stating that if an airline can arrange an
alternate flight for the customer within an hour, no compensation is required.
Compensation of up to Rs 10,000 is
allowed if the airline can provide the substitute arrangement within the next
24 hours, and compensation of up to Rs 20,000 is prescribed if it takes longer
than that.
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