No additional amount to be charged for issuing boarding passes at Airline counters

July 21: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday said it has come to its notice that airlines are charging additional amount for issuing boarding passes from the passengers seeking check-in at airport counters. “Airlines are advised not to charge any additional amount…as the same cannot be considered within the ‘tariff’ as provided under Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937,” it said.

The order issued by the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India on 21 July, 2022 stated, “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 for recommencement of domestic air travel for passengers w.e.f. 25.05.2020 inter-alia indicating that passengers have to ensure that they make a web check-in and generate Boarding Pass.”

The order further stated, “Further, it is also requested to refer to the letter of even reference dated 09.05.2022 advising airlines 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.”

On the basis of this, the order stated:

1. It has come to the notice of Ministry of Civil Aviation that Airlines are charging additional amount for issuing boarding passes from the passengers seeking check-in at airport counters. Such additional amount is not in accordance with the Instructions given in the aforesaid Order or as per extant provisions of Aircraft Rules, 1937.
2. In view of the above, the Airlines are advised not to charge any additional amount for issuing boarding passes at the airport check-in counters, as the same cannot be considered within the ‘tariff’ as provided under Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.