SC asks for Centre's response on plea seeking Full Refund of Cancelled Air Tickets during Lockdown period

On Firday, while taking up plea seeking Full Refund of cancellation of Air Tickets during Lockdown period, the Supreme Court has asked for Centre's stand on the same.

Representing the Centre, SG Tushar Mehta stated on the issue that Indians stranded abroad have been brought back under the Vande Bharat Scheme, whereas the present plea was filed when travel from outside India wasn't allowed at all.

The Court to this intervened his submission and pointed out that the present petition is regarding refund of cancelled tickets and not on any other issue to which he replied that his personal opinion was that the money ought to be refunded.

SG then went onto inform the Court that Airlines have suffered a hit of over $60 Billion globally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also added in his submission that 49% of the flying cost was fixed, with zero revenue to the Airlines.

Conveying to the Court, the intentions of the Airlines to hold a meeting with the Civil Aviation Ministry to discuss upon the matter, he said that 'nowhere in the world are airlines refunding the complete fare.'

During the hearing, Justice Kaul asked as to why Airlines grant flying credit for a limited period in lieu of cancelled tickets to a particular route only.

Giving suggestion on the same, the Judge added:

"Credit must be granted for at least a period of 2 years, and passengers should be allowed to use that credit for any route."

The Court has asked Centre to submit its response within three weeks after which the matter shall be taken up again.

The petition has been heard by a bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice SK Kaul and Justice MR Shah.