Taking cognisance of airlines charging additional amount for issuing boarding passes from the passengers, the Ministry of Aviation Ministry on Thursday advised airlines not to charge any extra money for issuing boarding passes at the airport check-in counters.
The ministry said this additional amount is not in accordance with the instructions given under Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 adding that the same cannot be considered within the ‘tariff’.
Currently, if a passenger has not completed web check-in and requests for a boarding pass at the airline counter, they are charged Rs 200 by the airline for issuing a physical boarding pass.
In its order dated July 21, 2022, addressed to all scheduled airlines, the ministry said, “The undersigned is directed to refer to the Order no. AV.29017/5/2020-DT dated 21.05.2020, enclosing therewith general instructions to be followed by passengers and Specific Operating Guidelines for major stakeholders.”
It added that passengers have to ensure that they make a web check-in and generate Boarding Pass. The ministry further instructed the carriers to encourage, facilitate and guide the air passengers for making timely web check-in and bag tag printing and minimize/avoid penal charge on non-web-check-in traveling passengers.
This comes after several air travellers raised the issue on social media marking their disappointment over flight operators charging additional fee for the issuance of boarding pass at the check-in counters. Taking note of the same, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had, in May, said that airlines charging extra for generating a boarding pass was “ridiculous” adding that the issued will be “examined” as soon as possible.
