TBM Staff - Mumbai
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has advised airlines to accommodate passengers on alternate flights or provide full refunds under the regulations, following the roof collapse incident at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. The incident occurred due to heavy rainfall, resulting in the temporary suspension of all departure operations from Terminal 1.
Passengers of affected flights took to social media to inquire about the status of their flights, with many complaining about the lack of updates. Video clips of passengers waiting went viral on social media. Airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet announced the cancellation of their flights from Terminal 1.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu reached the site of the collapse to assess the situation. He clarified that the building that collapsed was an old structure opened in 2009, and not the one inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Minister also announced compensation of INR 20 lakh for the deceased and INR 3 lakh for the injured.
Under the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, airlines are required to either provide alternate flights or compensation in addition to a full refund of air tickets in case of cancellations. They must also provide meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation (including transfers) depending on the total flight delay.
The DGCA’s directive to airlines to accommodate passengers on alternate flights or provide full refunds is aimed at minimising the inconvenience caused to travellers due to the unforeseen incident. The airlines’ compliance with the regulations will ensure that passengers are not left stranded and are provided with suitable alternatives or compensation.
