Flyers register 1,582 complaints against carriers in Jan, Feb 2016

Flyers faced a tough time due to poor service rendered by airlines’ staff related to facilities such as customer service, catering, refund, flight problems and baggage lost to name a few. Passengers have registered as many as 1,582 complaints against various airlines in January and February this year.

According to the data provided by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), around 26 passenger-related complaints were reported against all domestic airlines daily between January and February 2016.

In January 2016, a total of 823 passenger-related complaints were received by the domestic airlines; while in February 2016, 759 complaints poured in.

Baggage handling, staff misbehaviour and poor customer service are some of the main reasons that had upset domestic flyers in 2015 too. Passengers have registered as many as 11,047 complaints against various airlines last year.

However, operators of domestic airlines heaved a slight sigh of relief as the number of customer complaints dipped in February 2016 compare with January.

In 2016, the maximum number of complaints were registered against Air India, Jet Airways, GoAir and Air Costa.

In January 2015, the DGCA received 1,197 complaints; 1,092 in February; 1,194 in March; 935 in April; 858 in May; 819 in June; 802 in July; 770 in August; 710 in September; 727 in October; 857 in November and had 1,091 in December. According to the data, most of the complaints related to flight delays and rescheduling, baggage handling, customer services or staff behavior, refunds and catering.

In 2015, the maximum number of complaints were registered against SpiceJet, GoAir and Air Costa.

“We have now directed the airlines to give details of every complaint lodged and the action will be taken. Soon, the DGCA will take strict action against the airlines that ignore complaints,” said a DGCA official.