Flight passenger rights: In the last few days, many national and international flights have been canceled or delayed in India. Apart from this, many passenger photos and videos on social media are shared that what are the deficiencies at the flight or airport and what inconvenience they are facing. If you too are canceling flight, delays or other troubles in air travel then do not be disturbed, because every passenger gets some rights by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Let’s know about them.
If you are also among the troubled passengers whose flights have been canceled or you have to wait long, then know that you get some rights under DGCA and international rules. These include food and drinking arrangements, stay in the hotel, refund of tickets and compensation in some cases.
Free food and stay in hotel
If you have checked in and the flight is getting delayed, then it is the responsibility of the airline to give you food and refreshment according to the waiting period. If your flight is after 8 pm and is delayed by more than 6 hours, or the flight is delayed for more than 24 hours, then the airline will have to give you the facility of free stay in the hotel.
If a domestic flight is going to fly more than 6 hours, then the airline should give information about it 24 hours before the flight or offer a second flight within 6 hours or return the entire money for the ticket. In terms of international flights, the refund rules of the original country of that airline may apply.
What facility is available when the flight is canceled?
If your flight is canceled, then you have the right to get an alternative flight or ticket amount back. If your flight is canceled after reaching the airport, then compensation can also be received according to the flight period. For example, if the block time of the flight is less than 1 hour, then it will be given less than 5000 rupees or unilateral basic fares and fuel charge. For one to two -hour flight, you can get compensation of Rs 7500 and up to Rs 10,000 for flight of more than two hours.
If the passenger has been told two weeks ago that the flight is going to be canceled, then the airline will be given another flight or refund. Alternative flights should be found around the same time. If you have been given information about the cancellation after reaching the airport, then you have the right to get refunds and muvja as well as refreshment.
Compensation will not be available under these circumstances
If the delay or cancellation of the flight is due to the circumstances outside the control of the airline, such as the strict investigation system of DGCA, the changes in the route due to the war in West Asia or the situation of bad weather, then it is considered “extraordinary situation” or “act of God” and in such a situation the airline does not have to be compensated. However, even in this situation, the airline can provide passengers to eat food, stay arrangements and alternative flights.
How to complain?
First of all, keep the document ready for everything, such as check in time, boarding pass, time to receive information about delay or cancellation from the airline. After this, contact the airline staff. Every airline has to clearly show the name of its complaint officer and the process of refund/compensation. The airline is also legally responsible for giving this information in writing. You can file a complaint on the helpdesk at the airport, or the air service portal [www.airsewa.com](http://www.airswa.com) and you can also complain on the AIREREWA app.
If the airline does not solve your complaint, then you can also complain in DGCA website or consumer forum. Airlines also release a “disorder statement” in case of delay or cancellation in flight, which you can use for your insurance claim. This statement can be downloaded from the airline website or sought from the airport staff.