The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a directive requiring all airlines to inform passengers about their rights and responsibilities. Under the new regulation, airlines must provide an online link to the “passenger charter” via SMS or WhatsApp immediately after a ticket is booked. Additionally, this link must be clearly displayed on both the airline’s tickets and its official website.
The “passenger charter” outlines essential information regarding passengers’ rights in cases of flight delays, cancellations, boarding denials, baggage issues, and other travel-related concerns. This move is designed to enhance transparency and ensure that travelers, particularly first-time flyers, are fully aware of the protections and services they are entitled to during their journey.
The directive comes amid growing concerns about passenger experiences and aims to provide clearer communication between airlines and customers. By making the passenger charter easily accessible, the DGCA seeks to empower travelers with the knowledge needed to address issues and seek appropriate remedies if their rights are violated.
This initiative is also expected to hold airlines more accountable for service-related disruptions. In recent years, there have been increasing complaints regarding flight cancellations, overbookings, and baggage mishandling. The new requirement ensures passengers receive timely and accurate information, reducing confusion and strengthening consumer protection.
Airlines are now tasked with updating their communication systems to comply with the DGCA’s guidelines. This proactive measure is part of the aviation watchdog’s broader effort to improve the passenger experience and enforce fair practices in India’s rapidly growing aviation industry. With air travel becoming more accessible and passenger volumes rising, the DGCA’s directive aims to establish a more transparent and accountable system, ensuring travelers are better equipped to understand and assert their rights.
