Taking exception of airlines breaching ticket refund norms, DGCA has issued notices to some carriers seeking explanation and has warned them of stern action if they continued to flout the guidelines.
Without identifying the airlines, official sources said notices had been issued to some carriers against which the Civil Aviation Ministry had received complaints.
The sources said 'affirmative action' would be taken against carriers flouting the refund guidelines issued a few months ago.
Taking note of numerous complaints on refund of air tickets, the directorate general of civil aviation had in May issued a new set of rules or civil aviation requirement on the issue.
The sources said even though the government never interfered in the commercial practices of the airlines, the sheer volume of complaints in this regard forced the DGCA to issue the CAR in the interest of travellers.
Despite several rounds of meetings held by the ministry with the airlines, there had been no improvement in the system adopted by the carriers for refunding, they said.
As per the CAR, refunds should be made within seven days of cancellation if the ticket is purchased through credit card.
In case of cash transaction, immediate refund should be made by the airline from which the ticket has been purchased.
If the ticket has been bought from a travel agent, the refund arrangement should be left to the passenger and the agent.
The DGCA also asked the airlines to indicate in an 'unambiguous manner' the amount of money admissible on cancellation of a ticket.