The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has advised the airlines to waive rescheduling and cancellation charge in the light of coronavirus situation. An advisory has been sent to all airlines which operate international flights in and out of India. A similar advisory has also been sent by the ministry to domestic carriers.

"In the current scenario, it would be appropriate if airlines support their passengers in this tough time by waiving off cancellation/reschedule charges or by providing any other incentive," DGCA said in a note to airlines on Friday.

"In view of the unfolding severe impact of COVID-19, the Aviation industry is facing serious challenges. Flights are being curtailed, cancelled and disrupted almost on a daily basis. Resultantly, the passengers Are also facing the brunt. Their travel plans Are also being hit and disturbed," the regulator added.

So far, most airlines have waived rescheduling charges only.

IndiGo and SpiceJet have waived rescheduling charges on existing and changed fees on existing and new domestic and international bookings made till March 31, 2020. GoAir has announced rescheduling waiver in March for travel till April and for new bookings, rescheduling charge will be waived till September 30. Air India, which has cancelled flights to Seoul and Italy till the end of March, has waived cancellation and rescheduling fees.

"In the immediate term (till March 31, 2020), we will allow new and existing bookings to be rescheduled without penalty (though fare differences may apply) for an alternate travel date till the end of April 2020. If customers’ plans change and if they decide to postpone their travel, we will be happy to re-accommodate them on an alternate GoAir flight of their choice on the same sector as long as they notify us up to 3 days before the scheduled departure," GoAir said.

"Additionally, we are also extending similar flexibility on all the new bookings for travel up to 30th September 2020 and not charge customers a fee to change their reservations. This facility is available for all new bookings as long as customers notify us up to 14 days before the scheduled departure," GoAir said on March 12.

Travel demand has been falling steeply since the last month as passengers have postponed or cancelled their travel plans due to the travel advisories and Visa restrictions imposed by governments across the world following the spread of deadly coronavirus.

On March 12, Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had told CNBC-TV18 that the aviation ministry of India is in talks with domestic airlines to waive cancellation charge for flights which will be affected by the ongoing coronavirus situation.

"Most airlines not charging for rescheduling. We are in touch with airlines to waive cancellation charges as well," Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive interaction.

The Minister's comments come a day after India virtually quarantined itself for the next one month by suspending all existing visas till April 15 and advised all citizens to avoid non-essential travel.

"All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15, 2020. Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI cardholders is kept in abeyance till April 15, 2020," the government said on March 11. These measures will come into effect from 1200 GMT or 5:30 PM IST on March 13 at the port of departure.

First Published:Mar 13, 2020 2:25 PM IST