Airlines for the past few months have been collecting and keeping the money of passengers in the name of Credit Shells. In a way, this has been covering up for their own lack of cash flow, because net bookings were zero and at least some airlines did not have enough money to even pay their staff, so how would they pay millions of rupees for tickets which were not used.

Now that ticketing has resumed, most airlines are making the ability to use those credit shells on flights, but at new ticket prices. Which means if someone was booked for a Delhi – Chennai flight at a low fare earlier, he won’t be able to use that ticket, instead, having to buy a new ticket at current prices. Which almost means these customers have to make a payment over and above the credit shell amounts.

However, Air India has now announced a new policy, where they are accommodating all the passengers whose tickets were cancelled through May 24, 2020, on these new flights, without any extra payments. Check this announcement on their Facebook page yesterday, the screenshot below

Air India says,

On resumption of select Domestic Flights passengers holding AI tickets with travel dates between 23.03.20 to 24.05.20 can book in available flights for the period 25th May 2020 till 24 August 2020 at NO EXTRA COST.

In case of change in sector rerouting charges will be waived, but applicable difference of fare will be charged. Please call us on our customer care numbers or you may also visit our Booking Offices.

What this means is, if you were booked to fly on a Mumbai – Delhi flight and will want to continue to fly Mumbai – Delhi, let’s say on June 1, 2020, you won’t have to pay extra to get on the plane, as long as your ticket is in the same name, same class of service and same sector. But if you now want to fly Mumbai – Kolkata, you will have to pay any difference of fare, if applicable. Of course, this only works in your favour if the new ticket cost is equal or more to the price you have currently paid. To rebook, call the numbers on the Air India website, don’t visit them, even if it takes time to get it done.

There are success stories as well, so I am confident this should work out alright. Take this one, for instance

Do share your experiences rebooking with Air India in the comments section below.

I think this is a great move by Air India, to make it right to at least some customers, who will not have to pay extra to fly again. What do you think of this new proposition for Air India Rebooking?

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