Airlines Rampant Delays and Passenger Bumping in India and U.K.  

Apparently, several Indian airlines have been denying passengers from boarding, even when passengers were on time. Subsequently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) has urged that the airlines provide appropriate compensation/make amends to passengers who have been bumped from flights, or face “strict action” and possibly “financial penalties as per regulations.”

In the author’s opinion, much like what was done in the USA a few years ago, when an intervention was staged and regulations cooked up to ‘compensate’ passengers for the inconvenience of [Airlines] not meeting their scheduled transport obligations, it appears that the time has now come for India to do the same. The ‘recommendation’ goes further in directing the airlines to make alternate flight arrangements to passengers who miss their connections as well do to cancellation or delay at the point of origin.

In the UK, a similar situation is simmering as passengers at various airports have been waiting in long lines, in some cases taking more than two hours to clear security. Officials at UK airports stated that a number of factors are at play, chiefly staffing issues; lack of customs enforcement personnel, illness, increased demand in air travel, and a backlog in security clearance for new hires. To the last point, the Transportation Secretary in the UK will be introducing a rule to fast-track recruits to training before the background checks are complete. The author is amused at the prospect of what [situations] would emerge as a result. Let’s wait and see!

FMI: https://civilaviation.gov.in, https://caa.co.uk