Downgraded to economy despite having a business or first-class ticket? DGCA proposes amendment to give such flyers more rights

MUMBAI: The Indian civil aviation regulator has proposed an amendment under which airlines will have to refund the entire value of the ticket, including taxes to passengers who are downgraded involuntarily to a lower class of travel because of reasons such as unserviceable seats, overbooking etc. Not only that, the airline concerned will then have to fly such an affected passenger free of cost in the next available class.

“The proposal will go through stakeholder consultation and the final regulation shall be published and made applicable afterwards,” said a press note issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday.

“In view of rapid expansion of air services within India and on international routes to/from India and with the increase in the volume of passenger traffic, it has been noticed that sometimes airlines downgrade passengers (tickets),” it said.