New rules for airlines: Passengers will get beverages, refreshments/meals when flights get delayed

Airlines will now have to provide beverages, snacks and meals to passengers in case of delay. Yes, you read that right! This was advised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Beverages and snacks will be provided to passengers when the flights are delayed by two to four hours and passengers will be served hot meals when the flights are delayed beyond four hours. Taking to X, the aviation ministry said, “Airlines have been advised to provide facilities to passengers during flight delays. These measures are designed to prioritise passenger convenience during unforeseen disruptions.”

“As per an advisory issued by DGCA, airlines have to provide drinking water for delays of flights up to two hours; tea or coffee with snacks/refreshments for delays between two and four hours; and meals for delays exceeding four hours,” the tweet read.

“These provisions aim to enhance passenger experience while addressing their basic needs during the extended waiting times,” the ministry added. This move by the government comes amidst flight delays, mostly in North India, due to low visibility after the onset of winter.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) also addressed the biggest issues passengers face due to delayed flights that is being seated inside an aircraft for hours waiting for it to take off. Waiting endlessly holed up inside an aircraft has been one of the biggest complaints of passengers.

Now, the BCAS has now allowed smooth re-entry of passengers stranded inside aircraft due to weather or technical days, minimizing inconvenience and facilitating smoother re-boarding when flights resume.