The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has demanded an explanation from airlines regarding recent hikes in cancellation fees.
Market leader Indigo now charges a flat cancellation fee of Rs 2,250, irrespective of how long prior to departure the ticket is cancelled.
National carrier Air India recently hiked its cancellation fee by Rs 500, and since February it now stands at Rs 2,000.
D Sudhakar Reddy, president of the Air Passengers' Association of India says, ”On the one hand, airlines complain of increase in aviation fuel price when it is benign and then they do such customer-unfriendly practices.”
Cancellation and other such fees are a source of ancillary revenue for airlines.
Neha Gupta
