Ministry provides comments on flight delays and cancellations in the transport sector

Ministry provides comments on flight delays and cancellations in the transport sector

Spicing Up the Flight Game: Russia's New Rules for Airlines

Hey there! So, Vladimir Poteshkin, the Deputy Minister of Transport, had a pretty firm talk with the airlines recently. He's sick and tired of passengers being stuck on planes like sardines, waiting for restrictions to be lifted. He wants those situations fixed, pronto.

Here's the lowdown on what he's expecting from airlines:

1. Tariff policy: Airline bosses gotta really think about this one. They should strategize effectively to avoid public backlash and maintain customer satisfaction.
2. Staffing: Strengthening their workforce is crucial. They need to have extra personnel on standby to tackle any unexpected situations swiftly.
3. Communication: Call centers need to be running smoothly, and passengers should be kept in the loop regarding any changes in flight schedules, ASAP.
4. Passenger considerations: Preserve kindness and provide necessary information for those surviving long hours in airport limbo.

But that's not all. Poteshkin reminded airline bigwigs about the importance of following aviation rules. For instance, if they've got little munchkins on board, they gotta provide a safe space for them, like a mother-and-child room. And if flights are delayed,say, more than two hours, passengers should be allowed to make two phone calls or send two messages, no sweat. For longer delays, airlines gotta offer drinks and hot meals, and if the hold-up is extreme, offer hotel accommodations and rides there, too.

So what happened, you ask? Well, on May 6 and 7, some central Russian airport restrictions resulted in a traffic jam of sorts in the skies. About 60,000 passengers were left twiddling their thumbs due to delays and cancellations. Fortunately, our tour operator buddies are keeping a close eye on things, so you can always catch the latest updates on our Telegram channel — @expert_mag.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. In response to these hiccups, the Russian government has introduced some game-changing airline guidelines, aimed at improving passenger experiences during delays and cancellations. These include:

• Airlines are obliged to offer passengers up to twice the ticket price in compensation if they're left stranded due to overbooking. The amount varies depending on the length of the delay.
• Certain passenger groups, like families with young children and disabled individuals, cannot be booted off flights due to overbooking. Active military, transit passengers, and those with non-refundable tickets are also protected.
• The government is considering imposing limits on the number of times airlines can remove passengers due to overbooking. A repeat offender could face a potential ban on overbooking practices in the near future.

With these updated rules, it seems Russia is stepping up its passenger protection game, ensuring airlines play fair and deliver the care and respect travelers deserve during flight disruptions. Let's hope these measures result in smoother skies ahead! ✈️🛬🚀

1. Following the recent discussions with airline officials, Vladimir Poteshkin, the Deputy Minister of Transport, emphasized the necessity for airlines to strengthen their tariff policy to avoid public discontent and maintain customer satisfaction.
2. In order to tackle any unexpected situations efficiently, airlines are expected to have extra personnel on standby and ensure smooth operation of call centers.
3. Poteshkin underscored the importance of communication and requested that airlines keep passengers informed about any changes in flight schedules immediately.
4. To improve the passenger experience during delays, airlines are now required to offer drinks, hot meals, hotel accommodations, and rides if flights are delayed for more than two hours, and to allow passengers to make two phone calls or send two messages free of charge in such cases.
5. If flights are delayed for extreme periods, airlines are obliged to compensate passengers up to twice the ticket price, with the amount varying depending on the length of the delay, and to offer fair treatment to specific passenger groups, such as families with young children and disabled individuals, during overbooking situations.

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