SPICEJET FLIGHT DELAYS - WHAT IS THE AIRLINE RULE FOR COMPENSATION

Flight No SJ-709 delayed by 3 hours on 18-6-2024. What is the rule for compensation if flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV, titled "Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights", airlines are obligated to provide assistance to passengers affected by cancellations and delays as follows:

For flight cancellations, airlines are required to offer either an alternative flight or a full refund of the ticket price, along with compensation. Additionally, the airline must provide meals and refreshments to those passengers who have already checked in for their original flight and are waiting at the airport for the alternate flight.

In the event of a flight delay, the airline must provide meals and refreshments, offer an alternative flight or a full ticket refund, or arrange hotel accommodations (including transportation) depending on the length of the delay.

Regarding overbooked flights, airlines should initially seek volunteers willing to give up their seats. If a passenger does not volunteer and the airline cannot provide a replacement flight within an hour of the original scheduled departure, the airline is required to compensate the passenger. This compensation includes 200 per cent of the one-way fare plus the airline fuel surcharge, capped at Rs 10,000, if an alternate flight is scheduled within 24 hours.

If the alternative flight is offered more than 24 hours after the original departure time, the compensation increases to 400 per cent of the booked one-way fare plus the airline fuel charge, with a maximum cap of INR 20,000.