Credit Shell Refund For Only Passengers Who Booked Air-Tickets Directly: DGCA

In response to the case concerning airfare refunds in respect of flights booked during lockdown, the Centre on September 25, 2020 made a clarification to the Supreme Court that the credit shell scheme shall be offered only to the flyers who booked tickets directly and not to travel agencies. Further the DGCA stated that airfare refunds will only apply to flights with origin in India i.e. both domestic and international and cannot be claimed for flights originating outside the country, whether they are national or international airlines.

"The travel agent, if any, involved in the purchase of any ticket on behalf of any passenger remains only a via-media, leaving the principal contract between the airlines and the passenger only, which is the only recognised mode under DGCA regulations," the Centre clarified the bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy & MR Shah.

The SC sought a clarification from the government as to whether or not credit shell facility will apply to air tickets booked via travel agents.

Earlier the bench was apprised of the government's proposal that considered providing full refund against all air tickets booked domestic, international and foreign airlines) between March 25 and May 3.

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