Don't micro-manage

Air passenger compensation should be left to market forces

On the face of it, the civil aviation ministry’s draft charter on passenger rights, proposing relaxation in flight cancellation charges while fixing hefty compensation for missed connecting flights as well as for lost/damaged baggage, may seem to be a consumer-friendly step. But it is likely to prove counter-productive for Indian passengers. The draft charter, which is now up for consultation, mentions that a passenger can now cancel tickets free of cost within 24 hours of booking if one is travelling more than four days later. Also, it suggests that the cancellation fee can at no point exceed the base fare.

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