Relief for passengers who cancelled air tickets during the lockdown — Supreme Court accepts DGCA recommendations

• The apex court of India ruled that the air tickets booked during the lockdown are entitled to a full refund or a credit shell till March 31.
• The Bench of Justices of the top court clarified that if the tickets were purchased through agents, then refund too will be to the travel agents.

In a major relief to passengers who booked air tickets during the lockdown, the apex court of India ruled that they are entitled to a full refund or a credit shell till March 31.

The Bench of Justices of the top court led by Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah clarified that if the tickets were purchased through agents, then refund too will be to the travel agents.


The Supreme Court of India said "We accept the new DGCA guidelines. It may be enforced. The credit shell is only for passengers and not for travel agents who book bulk tickets. As per the court order, all private airlines are bound by DGCA guidelines."

This came after Centre representative Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified the Centre's stand that the credit shell facility could not be availed by travel agents who booked tickets during the lockdown.

Who is eligible for refund of air tickets cancelled during lockdown?

As per the DGCA, the following categories of passengers are covered under the ruling:

• Passengers who booked their tickets directly with the domestic airlines for domestic travelling.
  
• Passengers who booked their tickets with travel agents (including OTA) for domestic travelling.
  
• International travel passengers who had booked their ticket on an Indian airline for the flights that are originating from India.

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