In view of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began on March 25, 2020, many scheduled commercial flight services were suspended for a certain period.
If you had booked a flight ticket during the lockdown period imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but due to cancellation, you have not received the refund till date, then there is a relief news for you. The government has instructed such online travel aggregators to refund their flight tickets to passengers by next week. In view of the lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began on March 25, 2020, many scheduled commercial flight services were suspended for a certain period, disrupting the travel plans of many passengers.
Ministry reviewed the issue
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs recently held a meeting with online travel aggregators to address concerns about the adverse impact on consumers in the travel industry. The issue of outstanding refunds of air ticket refunds purchased during the COVID-19 lockdown was the focal point of the meeting chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, Financial Express reported.
If refund is not made then action will be taken against the portal
According to the news, it has been clearly stated in the instructions issued that if these travel portals do not follow the instructions or are reluctant in refunding the air ticket, then strict legal action will be taken against them. Travel aggregators have been directed to settle the outstanding refunds by the end of the third week of November, the official statement said. Non-payment of flight ticket refund may lead to legal action including filing of contempt petition before the Supreme Court.
Discussion on establishment of Lokpal also
Also, setting up of an ombudsman to resolve consumer complaints was also discussed. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Department of Consumer Affairs can jointly work out the modalities for setting it up. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) investigates pending refunds from travel portals. Two companies ixigo and Thomas Cook have already completed their flight ticket refunds.
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