SpiceJet directed to refund passengers

The aviation regulator Monday directed budget passenger airlines SpiceJet to immediately refund the passengers of a Mumbai-Delhi flight which was delayed for five hours last month.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took cognisance of aborted flight SG-419 which was ferrying 172 passengers between Mumbai and New Delhi on June 16. The flight was delayed by around five hours due to a technical fault.

The flight was finally operated after about four-and-half hours of delays when another plane was brought in.

An investigation by the aviation regulator also found that the low cost carrier (LCC) also sold food and beverages in the aircraft while its was on the ground.

This, DGCA cited, was in violation of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3. The CAR section says that an airline must provide facilities for drinking water and eatables due to delays or cancellations.

The DGCA directed the airline to refund the money it charged for eatables and drinks while the flight was delayed.

However, SpiceJet defended its stands and stated that it followed industry practice during the delay.

"SpiceJet, like most airlines, serves food on ground during the delay in cases like this, and we will be responding shortly to the DGCA," the airline said in a statement.

"We have received no communication from DGCA regarding serious engineering issues."