Stranded by monsoon flight delays? Airlines must offer meals, hotel stays

Airlines must provide assistance including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation for overnight stays, and transport between the airport and hotel during prolonged flight delays caused by heavy rain, under India’s Passenger Charter of Rights and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations.

While heavy rain is treated as a force majeure event that generally exempts airlines from paying monetary compensation, passengers still have the right to a full refund or an alternative flight if their journey is cancelled due to weather, depending on availability and preference.

DGCA rules state that if a ticket was purchased through a travel agent or online booking portal, the airline is still responsible for processing the refund, since such agents act as the carrier’s appointed representatives. Airlines must complete refunds within 14 working days.

Passengers should submit refund requests through the airline’s website, mobile app or customer service, or through the same channel used to book. If an airline fails to process a refund or provide required assistance, the matter can be escalated through the airline’s grievance mechanism, the AirSewa portal, or the appropriate consumer dispute redressal commission.