New Delhi: Attention all airlines passengers, there is a good news for all frequent flight users as the government of India have issued recommendation of implementation of compensation up to Rs 20,000 if your flight is going to delay or cancelled.

If you have been held up, or missed an important engagement because of a delayed or cancelled flight?, if yes then the Union Ministry’s recommendations are implemented, the compensation may increase up to Rs 20,000 per flier, if the airlines make a mistake.

In this competitive world of civil aviation sector, the bar has been raised by the ministry. The draft of a passenger charter will soon be put out which will list all the proposals. It will consider comments from the carriers as well as the public before issuing the final set of rules.

As all the airlines are crying foul, claiming that domestic airfares in India, are among the lowest in the world. Despite running hundreds of flights daily, the aviation sector still struggles to stay afloat. The airlines claim that such steps will lead to “fare hikes”, as someone has to bear the cost–in this case, the passenger.

Airlines to pay compensation up to Rs 20,000 if flight gets delay or cancelled:

The Federation of Airlines (FIA), a body comprising Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, jointly wrote to the ministry, claiming that existing rules and compensation already cover passengers in a fair manner.

The FIA warns that increasing compensation levels, will increase operational costs, and consequently, airfares for passengers. The Airlines blame the severe infrastructure crunch at air terminals, ATC constraints and unpredictable weather conditions for delays.

The draft lists fines that the airlines owe the passengers. It includes many perks, like free hotel stays. It also lists compensation for events that were not considered earlier, like providing free snacks and beverages to passengers, if there is a flight delay of 1-2 hours on tarmac. If the delay is more than two hours, passengers should be allowed to de-board.

With the airlines and the authorities arguing over the limit, the government has stepped in to safeguard passenger interests. In their agenda, both consumer and airline rights shall be considered, and a middle ground will be reached.

Also see video related to this news of Airlines to pay compensation up to Rs 20,000 if flight gets delay or cancelled: