Supreme Court asks airlines to spell out stand on refund for tickets

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 9

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked airlines to spell out their stand on full refund of money to passengers for air tickets booked during Lockdown 1 and 2 when air travel was banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan asked the airlines to respond in 10 days to the Centre’s affidavit that said passengers were entitled to full refund for air tickets booked during Lockdown 1 & 2 and posted the matter for further hearing on September 23.

The Bench said the Centre might also file an additional affidavit clarifying its position on the issues raised during the hearing, particularly with regard to refund for flights cancelled after the resumption of operations post lockdown.

Major airlines such as IndiGo, GoAir, Vistara, SpiceJet and Air Asia were represented by various senior advocates, including Mukul Rohatgi and Harish Salve, Arvind Datar and Pinaki Mishra, while the Air Passengers’ Association was represented by senior advocate Aryana Sundaram.

The top court is seized of a PIL filed by Pravasi legal cell demanding full automatic refund of money for tickets booked for flights during the lockdown.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.