Why airlines don’t pay compensation for rain-related flight delays
Airlines are generally exempt from paying compensation for flight delays caused by heavy rain, which is classified as a force majeure event.
Heavy rain is classified as a force majeure event under India’s civil aviation rules, meaning airlines are generally not required to pay monetary compensation when flights are delayed or cancelled due to adverse weather, according to Ministry of Civil Aviation and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations.
Despite this exemption from compensation, passengers still retain other rights. If a flight is cancelled due to heavy rain, the airline must generally offer either a full refund of the ticket fare or an alternative flight, depending on availability and the passenger’s preference.
During prolonged delays, airlines may also need to provide assistance including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation for overnight stays, and airport-to-hotel transport where applicable.
DGCA rules specify that if a ticket was booked through a travel agent or online portal, the airline remains responsible for the refund, since such agents act as the airline’s appointed representatives, and the refund process must be completed within 14 working days.
Passengers can request refunds via the airline’s website, app or customer service, or through the platform used to book. If an airline fails to comply, passengers can escalate through the airline’s grievance mechanism, the AirSewa portal, or a consumer dispute redressal commission.
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