By Meet Kapadia
The widespread disruptions due to Indigo’s flight cancellations had left thousands of travellers stranded. For them the challenges stretched far beyond a cancelled flight.
Many missed onward journeys, hotel nights, pre-booked sightseeing, and even international connections. Many had to rebook at significantly higher fares. Even with refunds, the financial impact extended much wider than just the ticket price.
What airlines cover?
DGCA rules lay down clear guidelines to protect passengers. If an airline cancels a flight and does not inform travellers at least 24 hours in advance, it must offer a full refund or an alternate flight. There are fixed compensation slabs depending on flight duration. In cases of long delays, the airline must provide meals, refreshments, or accommodation when required. If a connecting flight booked on the same ticket is missed due to delay or cancellation, the airline must assist.
However, airline obligations stop at direct disruptions. They rarely cover the larger financial consequences. They do not reimburse travellers for missed events, non-refundable hotels, separate connecting flights, additional transport, or last-minute fare hikes. Many passengers discovered this when refunds did not come close to covering the real cost of disrupted travel plans.
Travel insurance is the real safety net
A comprehensive travel insurance covers flight delays, flight cancellations, trip delays, trip cancellations, missed connections, and even flight diversions. These benefits extend to non-refundable expenses that airlines typically do not cover.
There is also growing interest in cancel for any reason add-ons. These allow travellers to cancel their tickets for personal or unforeseen reasons and still recover a portion of their costs. In uncertain times, this flexibility has become extremely valuable.
The recent disruptions have made it evident that even large and reputable airlines can face sudden operational stress. A travel insurance plan ensures that the consequences of such breakdowns are not borne entirely by the traveller.
Lessons for travellers
The recent crisis has shown that even the biggest airlines can face sudden breakdowns due to regulatory shifts, crew shortages, or operational pressures. Travel insurance is no longer just an optional add-on. It is a modern essential and a practical safeguard against unexpected disruptions.
As India’s travel volumes grow, travellers who combine flight bookings with comprehensive protection will always be better prepared for uncertainty. The past few weeks have reinforced that this awareness is not just useful but necessary for every traveller in the country.
The writer is head, Travel Insurance, Policybazaar.com