Grahakjago (S.K.Virmani)©

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) need to intervene and frame out policy on cancellation fee chargeable by the Airlines and to withdraw the practice of charging for preferential seat allocation                           Recently a ticket booked for Delhi- Ahmedabad-Delhi on 2 nd February 2018 for scheduled Departure on 25 th February 2018 and scheduled return journey on 28 th February 2018 was required to be cancelled on 22 nd February 2018. Surprisingly, the amount of refund by the intended passenger as received was merely Rs. 493/- out of the paid amount of Rs. 6,243/- deducting an amount of Rs. 5,750/-   supposedly to be the cancellation fee.                       Total amount paid:    Rs. 6,243        ...

Why Indian Railways considering charging of insurance premium from passengers? It seems Indian Railways is considering introduction of a nominal fee for covering the risks against accidents and luggage. If we look at the past statistics, most of the accidents and stealing of luggage of passengers is due to the inefficiency of the railways. To an estimate, more than 80% of the accidents are occuring because of human failure. Similar is the view about luggage being stolen. The railways need to ensure that the travel by unathorised passengers (main cause of the stealing of luggage) do not travel in the reserved coaches. TTE has been failing in their duties to check on such lapses, the prominent being from the angle of corruption. Number of supporters of the present Government are making grounds for charging of nominal fee of Rs. 2/- per passenger as insurance premium to cover for such risks. Now the question comes as to why the passenger be made to pay for insurance premium. I...

Why Airlines should feel hesitant in refunding the excess ADF?? As you may be knowing that Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) have reduced ADF w.e.f 1st January 2013 for the passengers embarking from Delhi Airports (DIAL). The ADF for domestic passengers has been reduced from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 100/- whereas for the international passengers it has been reduced from Rs. 1300/- to Rs. 600/-. The passengers who have booked their tickets prior to 31st December 2012 are entitled to a refund of Rs. 100/- and Rs. 700/- for domestic and international flights respectively.  Times of India in their news published on 20th January 2013 that Airlines are delaying the refund of Excess amount charged under "Development fee" due to reduction in fee w.e.f 01/01/2013. The reason cited is inadequate staff deployed by Airlines. I have failed to understand as to why the refund should be delayed on a/c of shortage in staff. First of all most of the tickets are booked electronic...