Anushka Singh had booked a flight to Delhi from Sydney on April 8, 2020. However, the Indian government announced a lockdown on March 24, 2020, and she could not go.
“I had booked the flight in the third week of March after our university suspended regular classes and started online classrooms. But, the next day after I booked the flight, India closed its border due to coronavirus pandemic, and I could not leave,” said Ms Singh, who is an international student in Australia.
Highlights:
- India has over 12,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 420 deaths.
- India has extended its lockdown and international flight ban until May 3, 2020.
- Indians stuck abroad have requested the government to allow them to back into the country.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed the Indian Airlines to refund all those whose flights were cancelled due to lockdown.
"Grievances were received from air travellers regarding refund for flights cancelled because of the nationwide lockdown to combat COVID19. Advisories have been issued regarding refund for both domestic & international tickets booked for the flights suspended due to lockdown," India’s Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri said in a tweet
DGCA, the statutory body that monitors civil aviation in India, said on Thursday that those who have booked airline tickets for days between 25 March and 14 April are eligible to claim a full refund.
The airlines have been asked to refund within three weeks from the date of request of cancellation without charging any cancellation fee.
The news has come as a relief to thousands of Indians who could not travel to India due to lockdown announced by India and Australia.
Earlier, Air India had given the option to change the booking dates, but many did not find it helpful.
“It was of no use as we had no idea how long the lockdown will go. How could we plan our journey in such circumstances,” said Manoj Ruhil, who was scheduled to fly to India from Sydney in the first week of April.
India has suspended both domestic and international flight till May 3, 2020.
FILE-Coronavirus alert signage at New Delhi International airport in view of the Coronavirus outbreak. Source: AAP
Earlier the suspension was till 14 April. Many had changed their flights after April 14 sanguinely to travel to India after the lockdown. However, India decided to extend the lockdown leaving such people in limbo.
The DGCA has said these people will get refunds without any cancellation charges. People who made airline bookings for days between 14 April and 3 May, after cancelling their tickets for a date between 25 March and 14 April, are eligible for the refund.
However, for many stuck in Australia, the main concern remains going back to India.
“This will definitely help a lot of people, especially students. But again these are small steps. We don’t know how much time will it take for the money to be refunded. The main thing is to go back,” Ms Singh told SBS Hindi.
In Australia, the ACCC had advised the airlines to offer a refund for cancelled flights.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages all businesses to treat consumers fairly and compassionately,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims had said in a statement released last month.
“We welcome the decisions by many businesses who are already offering refunds to all ticket holders, and expect other event and travel businesses to also offer remedies to all affected consumers when events or travel services are cancelled,” he said adding that failure by any business to honour its cancellations or refunds policy may constitute misleading conduct under the Australian Consumer Law.
Follow SBS Hindi’s special coverage of COVID-19 outbreak
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
This might interest you:
Want to return to India? India says 'bear with us' as it extends international flight bans
