'IndiGo scuffle came to DGCA's notice through social media'

The incident of a passenger being manhandled by IndiGo staff at the airport here came to the notice of aviation regulator DGCA through social media and almost a month after it happened, according to the government.
After the incident came to light last month, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had strongly condemned the same, while the airline had admitted that it was at fault and had apologised.
Last month, a video clip of the incident had gone viral.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Rajya Sabha today that in the recent past through social media, it came to the notice of the DGCA that a passenger who travelled by "IndiGo flight 6E-487 was manhandled after deplaning in the operational area at IGI Airport, New Delhi".

Though the incident happened on October 15, 2017, it only came to the knowledge of the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) after almost a month's time, he said in a written reply.
Sinha also noted the incident has been investigated by the regulator.

"DGCA has issued regulations... which provides for adequate training of persons waiting at airport who are engaged in passenger handling. In case of violation, appropriate action is taken as per the provisions of the relevant CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement)," the minister said.
To a query on whether instances of quarrel/ fight between passengers and airline staff have increased recently, he said in another written reply that no analysis in this regard has so far been carried out.

Regarding charges levied by carriers for cancellation of air tickets, Sinha said as per norms, "under no circumstances, the airline shall levy cancellation charges more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge".
This is under provision of CAR related to 'Refund of Airline Tickets to Passengers of Public Transport Undertakings'.
"As per the prevailing regulations, airlines are free to establish reasonable charges/ fee for the services being offered by them, which include charges for cancellation of pre-booked tickets also," Sinha said in a separate written reply.