Refund For Canceled Tickets Done, Compensation To Stranded Passengers To Be Paid At Earliest: Indigo Tells Delhi High Court

Indigo Airlines informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that refund of tickets recently canceled by it amid the chaotic disruption of flights has been done and compensation to stranded passengers will be done at the earliest.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the airlines to furnish an affidavit detailing the manner of compensation to be paid to the stranded passengers within two weeks.

The Court was hearing a PIL seeking independent judicial investigation into the Indigo crisis and large scale flight cancellations.

Earlier, the Bench had observed that while it appreciates the steps taken by Centre however it was bothered by lakhs of passengers left on airports which also affects the country's economy.

The court had also directed that provisions for payment of compensation to stranded passengers will be "strictly adhered to by Indigo" which shall be "ensured by Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA as well".

During the hearing today, ASG Chetan Sharma appeared for the Union Government and said that the Senior Vice President of the airlines has been told to be dismissed from service. A penalty of 22 odd crores has been imposed (on the airline), some people in senior officials have been warned, he added.

The counsel appearing for Indigo said that a dedicated website has been launched so that the aggrieved passengers can apply there for compensation.

The Bench took on record the report of the Inquiry Committee which was filed in a sealed cover as well as the action taken report filed by DGCA.

“On a query, the counsel for respondent 3 (Indigo Airlines) has submitted that refund of canceled tickets have been made. However, he states that process of compensation for cancelation and to stranded passengers is being worked out and shall be paid at the earliest. Let an affidavit be filed by respondent 3 within two weeks,” the Court said.

The counsel appearing for the Petitioner said that Indigo has given travel voucher to the stranded passengers but has put a time gap for it to be used. On Court's asking, counsel for Indigo said that the voucher is worth Rs. 10,000 and has to be used within 12 months.

On this, the CJ remarked: “12 months is fine…. If the passenger does not use it in that time, then. Take instructions, put a reply.”

The matter is now listed on February 25.

In a related development, the Court had declined a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking four times compensation for flight tickets cancelled by Indigo airlines, as well as a judicial inquiry against the DGCA over lapses which left millions of travellers stranded.

Case Title: AKHIL RANA & ANR v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS