Compensation Guidelines in Case of Delayed Flights to India

The flights get delayed for many reasons whether it is because of technical problems, bad weather, the late arrival of a flight, or any other reason. So, this delay in flights should provide the travelers with the right to receive compensation. And if you have booked your last minute flights to India, and it gets delayed then as a traveler, it could be a troubling situation for you.

So, in this blog, we are going to discuss the guidelines for compensation that airlines provide–

Under the Central Government, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) governs all the airlines in India. The set of rules and regulations that are applied to airlines are decided by DGCA only. Therefore, according to their guidelines, there is compensation given to the passengers in case of flight delays and cancellations.

Revised Compensation Guidelines

• According to the new guideline of 2016, it has become mandatory that the passengers will be paid by the airlines for flight delays and cancellations as compensation.
• So, for more than 2 hours of delay would pay a passenger up to ₹10,000 as compensation.
• The situations under which airlines will not pay the compensation include civil conflicts, extreme weather conditions, Air Traffic Control strikes, and terror activities.

Hour Delay Compensation

If the passengers are not intimated about the 1 hour prior to the delay of flight, then the airlines are obligated for paying either ₹5,000 or the price of the booked fare along with the fuel cost, as compensation (whatever is less).

Hours Delay Compensation

When flight delays for more than 1 hour and gets extended up to 2 hours, then the airlines have to pay a compensation of either ₹7,500 or the price of the booked fare along with the fuel cost to the passengers (whatever is less).

More than 2 Hours Delay Compensation 

For flight delays that extend more than 2 hours, the airlines are liable to pay passengers either ₹10,000 or the cost of the booked basic fare of one-way, in addition of the fuel charge, as compensation (whatever is less).

24 Hours Delay Compensation

• When the flights get delayed for 24 hours or more or your alternate flight has been scheduled after 24 hours of the booked scheduled flight.
• In such a case, your 400% of the booking cost for a basic fare of one-way in addition to the airline fuel charge and all this give a maximum compensation of ₹20,000 will be paid to a passenger.
• Only the airlines are responsible for intimating the passengers at least 2 weeks before the departure, regarding any delays in the flights.
• Also, airlines are liable for offering bookings on an alternative flight for the passengers.
• However, it is completely dependent on passengers either to take this offer or seek for their compensation in lieu.

Claiming Your Compensation

• According to the guidelines of DGCA, passengers are required to claim for the compensation on the airline’s official website or at their office. And the airlines have to settle this claim within a month.
• Passengers have to provide the necessary details during filing their claim and those include name and contact (used for booking), email id, billing address, credit or debit card number used at the time of paying, flight and ticket number, and date of traveling.
• After filing the claim, a confirmation along with a registration number will be received by a passenger.

Food and Accommodation at the Time of Flight Delay

Airlines are liable for providing free snacks and meals to passengers on the flight, if for a long duration it is delayed. Airlines are supposed to provide the passengers with accommodation but it is subjected to many factors including the hours of delay and the passengers belonging to another city.

Denied of Boarding a Flight

Sometimes, airlines overbook flights, so a passenger may not be allowed to board a flight even if you have a valid ticket. In this case, you have a right to claim for your compensation. Airlines are then obliged to pay ₹20,000 including the refund of flight ticket cost as compensation.

Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Delay

• When a passenger misses a connecting flight due to the delay in their flight schedule, then this situation will depend on whether the same airline has booked the connecting flight.
• If yes, then the airline will either provide compensation or an alternate flight’s booking.
• If not, then there are no or minimal chances of getting a refund and compensation.
• So, for a long run, it is advisable to book your connecting flight with the same airline you are traveling with.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance includes medical emergency, baggage loss, flight delays, and cancellations. Hence, one should opt for travel insurance.

Conclusion

Hopefully this blog would have given you an idea regarding compensation guidelines. So, for getting cheap flights to India, we advise you to go through the official website of Flyopedia. We provide many flights deals along with the last minute flights to India as well.