New rules require airlines to compensate passengers with fines of 100 rubles for every hour of flight delay. The changes to the Air Code of the Russian Federation took effect on April 1, as reported by TASS, and mark a significant shift in how delays are handled and communicated to travelers. These penalties are designed to offset the inconvenience passengers experience when flights run late, and they place a clear obligation on carriers to address disruptions with financial accountability.
Industry insiders explain that to obtain a refund, a traveler must submit a written request directly to the airline. The process begins with the carrier reviewing the passenger’s claim and verifying that the delay was caused by the airline itself. If liability is confirmed, the refund is issued in proportion to the length of the delay, with a cap of 100 rubles per hour. This approach creates a straightforward formula for reimbursement and emphasizes the need for accurate delay documentation from both sides in order to ensure timely compensation.
The source notes that refunds will not apply to delays caused by weather conditions or by issues related to flight safety. Weather is acknowledged as an uncontrollable factor, while safety-related disruptions remain outside the scope of compensation under these rules. This delineation mirrors common international practice, where force majeure events typically do not trigger a standard monetary remedy, but it also places emphasis on distinguishing between airline responsibility and external causes in each case.
Additionally, the source indicates that penalties may be issued to airlines for disseminating false information about ticket reservations within the automated air travel information system AIS OVP. The new framework thus covers not only on-time performance and compensation but also the accuracy and reliability of published booking data. This provision aims to deter misleading reservation information and protect passenger interests in the digital information environment that connects travelers with carriers.
Historical incidents are referenced to illustrate the stakes involved in airline operations. One case described involves a flight from Omsk to Moscow where a passenger experienced meningitis, and it was noted that the situation led to subsequent legal and operational scrutiny. The inclusion of such examples underscores the broader context in which delay penalties, information accuracy, and passenger safety intersect within the aviation sector. The overall aim is to enhance transparency and accountability across airline practices, from scheduling and operational management to the distribution of ticketing information and the handling of delays.