Air Ticket Bookings News: Waiting for lockdown to end to book flight tickets? Latest DGCA update you should know

Are you among those waiting to book flight tickets but could not do it due to lockdown over the Covid-19 pandemic? Here is something important you should know. In a latest development, aviation regulator DGCA directed airlines on Sunday to stop bookings for travel after May 3. DGCA however, assured them that they would be given sufficient time to restart flight operations.

The regulator's direction came in the evening as private Indian airlines were taking bookings during the day, ignoring Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's "advice" on Saturday to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on resumption of flights. Air India heeded the minister's advice and stopped all bookings on Sunday before the regulator issued the order.

DGCA Circular Details:- 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a circular stating: "All airlines are hereby directed to refrain from booking tickets... Further, the airlines may note that they shall be given sufficient notice and time for restarting operations." 

Complaints on social media:- 

Several passengers have complained on social media against Indian airlines that they are not giving refunds for flights cancelled due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown and instead issuing credit vouchers for future travel. 

On April 16, the Aviation ministry said passengers can ask airlines for full refund if the bookings were done during the first phase of lockdown for travel up to May 3. However, the government has not taken any decision till now on whether full refund should be given to passengers who booked their tickets before the lockdown for travel during the March 25-May 3 period. 

The first phase of the lockdown was from March 25 to April 14. The second phase began on April 15 and would end on May 3. All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for the lockdown period. However, cargo and special flights permitted by the DGCA can fly in this period.