Passengers' Rights During Monsoon Flight Cancellations Explained

What Passengers Can Claim When Flights Are Cancelled During Monsoon

Flight cancellations during the monsoon season are a common frustration for Indian travellers, often leaving them stranded and uncertain about their plans. While airlines may be exempt from paying monetary compensation for weather-related disruptions, passengers still have rights that ensure their welfare and provide remedies for inconvenience. Here’s what you need to know.

---

Airlines Can Invoke Force Majeure for Weather-Related Cancellations

Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, and cyclones are classified as “extraordinary circumstances” or Force Majeure events. These are situations beyond an airline’s control, explained aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar.

In such cases, airlines are not required to pay statutory compensation, which otherwise ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for cancellations caused by the airline itself. However, this exemption does not absolve carriers of their core responsibilities toward passengers.

---

Refunds or Alternate Flights: Your Immediate Options

When a flight is cancelled due to adverse weather, passengers are entitled to choose between two options:

1. Full Refund: Airlines are obligated to process refunds promptly, adhering to DGCA guidelines and the payment method used for booking.
2. Re-Routing: Passengers can opt to be rebooked on an alternate flight to their destination, subject to seat availability.

According to Vandekar, it is crucial for passengers to exercise their choice at the earliest opportunity and retain all relevant documentation, such as booking confirmations and cancellation notifications, to avoid disputes later.

---

Care and Assistance During Airport Delays

For passengers already at the airport when a cancellation occurs, airlines must provide essential care and assistance. This includes:

• Meals and Refreshments: During extended waiting periods.
• Hotel Accommodation: For overnight delays, along with transfers between the airport and hotel.

These measures are designed to safeguard passenger welfare, regardless of the cause of disruption.

---

How to Handle Disputes or Non-Compliance

If an airline fails to meet its obligations under the DGCA framework, passengers can lodge complaints through the AirSewa portal or mobile app. Additionally, they have the option to seek remedies under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, by approaching the appropriate Consumer Commission.

“The regulatory framework aims to balance the operational challenges of unavoidable disruptions with enforceable protections for passenger rights,” Vandekar noted.

---

Practical Tips for Passengers

• Obtain written or electronic confirmation from the airline stating the reason for cancellation.
• Keep all travel-related documents, including boarding passes and receipts for expenses incurred during the disruption.
• Act quickly to claim your refund or rebook your travel.

By understanding your rights and acting promptly, you can better navigate the challenges of monsoon travel disruptions.

Source: Indian Express