Directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has cracked the whip on domestic as well as foreign airlines over various issues.
It has directed all domestic carriers to provide free drinking water to air passengers, following passengers’ complaints sent to DGCA chief, EK Bharat Bhushan. “The complaints were investigated and it was found that some airlines were indeed charging money. In view of this, all scheduled domestic airlines have been directed to provide drinking water free of charge to passengers,” said a DGCA official.“During the flight, humidity in the cabins decreases. Water intake is must for passengers,” the official added.
In a first action of its kind, the government has cracked the whip on foreign airlines charging obscenely high amounts from US-bound passengers for checking in more than one bag. Till recently, US-bound economy class passengers were allowed to check in two bags of up to 23kg each. But last year, US airlines started charging for the second bag, a practice picked up by European carriers as well, as a result of which passengers ended up paying anywhere from Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000 extra for a one-way passage.
The DGCA has asked the US and European airlines to revert to the old practice of allowing two bags with weight limit and the latter have to reply by month-end. "This anti-passenger policy of some airlines will not be allowed to continue. The matter is being taken up under the existing air service agreements India has with countries (whose airlines have started levying the fee)," Bharat Bhushan said. Indian carriers flying to North America still allow two check-in bags.
The DGCA has also asked the domestic airlines to ensure that air tickets don’t get priced out of passenger budgets during the festival season, which sees a surge in demand.
The October-December quarter has traditionally been peak-time for domestic travel in India. Bhushan has instructed that there should be no upward revision in airfares “as there is no increase in cost of operations”. DGCA is keeping a close tab on fares in view of last year when airfares on certain routes such as Delhi-Mumbai soared hit post-Diwali highs of 300%.