New Delhi: Confusion prevails regarding issuing refunds for tickets booked on flights cancelled during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry had ordered airlines to give full refund for tickets booked after the lockdown, which came into effect on March 25.
However, many passengers had booked tickets before March 25 for travel on the following days. With the Ministry's order making no mention about such bookings, the passengers may not benefit.
The airlines say that they will not refund money for domestic and international tickets booked before March 25 for travel between March 25 and May 3. They would, instead, offer a ticket on another day. The fee for changing the departure day would not be charged, but travellers would have to shell out any difference in case that day's fare is higher.
As per rules, airlines have to offer a full refund in case a service is cancelled. However, according to the airline companies, the flights are grounded due to the lockdown and they had no role in the development.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Ministry officials said talks would be held with airlines to sort out the issue.
