DGCA informs SC, full refund will be made on tickets booked between March 25 and May 3

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed the Supreme Court on Sunday that passengers who had booked tickets in domestic and international carriers for air travel between March 25 and May 3, 2020, which was the first two phases of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, will be “fully refunded”.

“Non-refund of air tickets booked during lockdown and creation of involuntary credit shell by airlines is a violation of Civil Aviation Requirements and provisions of the Aircraft Rules of 1937,” the DGCA told the apex court, according to reports.

India had imposed the first phase of lockdown from March 25 to April 14 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The second phase of lockdown was from



April 15 to May 3. All domestic and international commercial passenger flights had been suspended during the period.

For all other cases, the airlines shall make all endeavors to refund the collected amount to the passenger within 15 days, the DGCA informed the top court. Meanwhile, meetings with tourism and air travel companies are also being conducted. The companies have agreed to a “full refund”, however, in case of financial distress for airlines, credit will be given to passengers who could use it for air travel till 31 March 2021 on any route of their choice, it said.

The DGCA said that the airlines would also refund the full amount in case of travellers who have since expired to the account of the passenger or to his representative.