HÀ NỘI — From November 1, airline passengers will receive compensation when their flights are canceled or delayed, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The ministry regulates compensation levels for domestic flights and four rates for international flights, based on the duration of the flight. Accordingly, the level of compensation for cancellation, delay on domestic flights is VNĐ200,000 per head on routes less than 1,000 km, and VNĐ400,000 for routes from 1,000 km and more.

For international flights, the compensation rate is US$25 per passenger on a flight less than 1,000 km and $150 on a flight of over 5,000 km. The compensation can be made in cash or via transfer to the passenger’s banking account. The port authority is responsible for supervising the compensation of passengers.

In the meantime, the airline must serve food for passengers depending on the time of delay and canceled trip. Specifically, they have to serve drinking water for a flight delayed for two hours, food for three hours, and for a delay of six hours or more on the day (for flights from 7am to 10pm) they must arrange accommodation, in accordance with the actual conditions of the airport.

In case of a delay of more than six hours at night (from 10pm to 7am), the airline shall arrange sleeping and resting places, in accordance with local conditions or a flexible method, if agreed by the passenger. At the same time, the airline is responsible for converting passengers’ journeys within the scope of their service to help passengers arrive at their destinations as quickly and conveniently as possible.

However, the airline is exempt from the obligation of paying non-refundable advances in the case that the passenger is transported free of charge or at reduced airfares applicable to airline employees, airline agent staff, partners and customers using tickets free of charge.

The new regulations are mentioned in the ministry’s Circular 27/2017/TT-BGTVT, which amended and supplemented several articles of Circular 36/2014 (regulations on the quality of passenger services at airports) and Circular 14 /2015 (regulations on non-refundable advance in air transportation). — VNS