The civil aviation ministry has released the first draft of passengers' charter today which has new rules proposed for the cancellation fee, compensation on missing flights and introduction of wifi in flights.

Cancellation of air-ticket

A cancellation fee will not be charged on air tickets if cancelled within 24 hours of booking. However, the ticket has to be booked 96 hours before the flight departure timing to avail it. The ministry also said that travel agents including online travel agencies (OTAs) cannot set the cancellation fee higher than the base fare plus fuel surcharge under any condition.

Cancellation of flight

In case the flight is cancelled by the airline two weeks before and up to 24 hours of the time scheduled for the booked flight, it should offer an alternative flight within two hours of the scheduled time or refund the ticket amount (whichever option the passenger chooses to take.

Delay in flight

If the delay in flight is communicated to the customer 24 hours prior to the scheduled time and is delayed for over 4 hours, the airline has to give the passenger an option of a full refund.

Missing connecting flight

If a passenger misses his/her connecting flight due to a delay of over three hours, the compensation would be:

• 3-4 hours: Rs 5,000
• 4-12 hours: Rs 10,000
• Over 12 hours: Rs 20,000

Wifi

Wifi onboard flights, which is expected to take two months to become reality, will be allowed only when the airplane is over an altitude of 3,000 metres. Personal electronic devices will also have to be put on flight mode.