The aviation regulator fined Akasa Air Rs 10 lakh for failing to reimburse seven passengers who were refused boarding on a flight from Bengaluru to Pune on September 6.
Akasa had to transfer seven impacted passengers to an IndiGo flight that departed almost two hours later because the original aircraft was grounded and the replacement aircraft had nine seats that weren’t working.
Akasa Fined Rs. 10 Lakh For Failing To Reimburse Seven Passengers
The main concern is how the amount of compensation due to passengers is impacted by the time difference between the original and replacement flights.
In order to avoid empty seats brought on by no-shows, airlines in India are legally permitted to refuse boarding, primarily because of overbooking.
The airline may refuse some passengers boarding if there are more passengers than seats available.
There is no need for reimbursement if a denied passenger is accommodated on a different flight that leaves within an hour of the original flight’s scheduled departure time.
The airline is required to provide compensation equal to 200% of the one-way basic fare plus fuel surcharge, or Rs 10,000, whichever is less, if the alternative flight leaves more than an hour later.
The compensation rises to 400% of the base fare plus fuel surcharge, or Rs 20,000, whichever is less, if the alternative flight leaves more than 24 hours later.
The airline must provide a complete refund and 400% of the base fare plus fuel surcharge, or Rs 20,000, whichever is less, if a passenger decides not to take a different flight.
The seven passengers in Akasa’s case should have each received Rs 10,000 in compensation, but they were not, and as a result, they were penalized.
Rs 10 Lakh Penalty On Akasa Air For Offloading Confirmed Passengers, Giving No Compensation
In 2024, in violation of Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section-3, Series M, Part IV, Akasa Air provided a substitute flight for the impacted passengers but failed to provide compensation.
A representative for Akasa Air confirmed that the airline has received the DGCA order and said it is collaborating with the authority to enhance its procedures.
As per the spokesperson, “We acknowledge receipt of an order by the DGCA dated December 24, 2024. We continue to work closely with the DGCA to address this matter and enhance our protocols as required by the regulator.”
Akasa Air was previously given a notice by the DGCA for neglecting to promptly update its operations manual and for failing to maintain and certify its aircraft.
