 "A passenger stands outside the SpiceJet Airlines ticket counter at the domestic airport on the outskirts of Agartala")
While highlighting the plight of passengers facing flight delays and cancellation, the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) stated that the month of April alone saw airlines making refunds worth Rs 3.3 crore for the same.
"In the month of April alone, airlines refunded Rs 3.3 crore to passengers for flight delays and cancellation," said D Sudhakara Reddy, Founder & National President, APAI.
The association, which held its executive committee meeting on Saturday in Ahmedabad, has sought a cap on number of hours in flight delays that do not result in any compensation for passengers.
"Passengers face a lot of trouble when flights get cancelled or delays. There have been cases where flights have been delayed by anywhere between 12 hours and 18 hours and still airlines have not compensated passengers for the inconvenience caused. We are, therefore, seeking a cap in number of hours in flight delays beyond which airlines should compensate passengers monetarily," said Reddy.
The executive committee meeting saw several issues being addressed including rationalization of air ticket cancellation charges and need for checks on user development fees being charged by private airport operators.
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Commenting on the new Civil Aviation Policy, Reddy said that the same was guided by APAI and was on the verge of being approved and announced by the Union cabinet. "This will be a step ahead in the right direction to fortify the sector and is expected to make key announcements on incentives and measures to enhance profitability," said Reddy.
APAI has also been pushing for airport privatisation of cities like Ahmedabad.
APAI further said that while Airports Authority of India (AAI) has many remarkable people who work tirelessly in difficult circumstances, the tendering norms are cumbersome and don't necessarily award the job to the best company. Hence, a number of issues continue to plague Ahmedabad airport and all other AAI airports with the gap between the private and AAI airports becoming wider each passing year.
"We have compiled some serious recommendations on the upgradation of airport facilities at the Sardar Patel Airport in Ahmedabad. We are actively considering uniting efforts with the Union government to enhance checks on user development fees being charged on an ad-hoc basis by private airport operators. Our stress will continue to be on ensuring passenger comfort and fair charges to the passengers," said Behram Mehta, Area Chairman, Gujarat State of APAI.
Meanwhile, APAI has also been a frontrunner in putting forward a proposal to increase the number of flights from Surat through its Gujarat chapter.
