DGCA Fines Akasa Air Rs 10 Lakh for Non-Compliance with Compensation Rules

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Akasa Air for failing to compensate seven passengers who were denied boarding on a Bengaluru-Pune flight (QP 1437) on September 6, 2024. The aircraft scheduled for this sector had to be grounded, and the replacement plane had nine non-operational seats, resulting in the denial of boarding to these passengers.

While Akasa Air accommodated the affected passengers on an IndiGo flight departing within two hours of their original booking, the airline did not provide the required compensation. The issue came to light during a DGCA inspection of major scheduled domestic airlines at Bengaluru airport on September 9 as part of its annual surveillance programme.

The DGCA issued a 'deficiency reporting form' to Akasa Air, which the airline justified by citing the non-availability of seats on the replacement aircraft. However, after examining the airline's response, the DGCA found that Akasa Air had not complied with the denied boarding compensation norms and issued a show cause notice on November 1. Akasa Air initiated the process of collecting bank account details and consent from the seven passengers for payment of compensation only after receiving the show cause notice, which contravenes the rules.