Civil Aviation Ministry to have ombudsman to redress dispute

NEW DELHI: The civil aviation sector could soon have its very own ombudsman, a proposal that has been pending with the Ministry of Civil Aviation for several years now. On Thursday, the ministry invited stakeholder comments, a process that’s going to continue till April 15. Comments from stakeholders are to be sent to the economic advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding the setting up of an ombudsman as an alternative dispute settlement machinery for air travellers.

“The working group constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard has in its report recommended the setting up of an aviation ombudsman,” said the Ministry in a statement issued on Thursday.

“In sectors where market forces play a lead role in providing services, such as aviation in India, it becomes necessary to provide a window for grievance redressal of passengers and also an effective mechanism for dispute resolution.” The plan was first mooted in January 2011. After several committee meetings, the Ministry met airlines last year and agreed to move ahead with the setting up of an ombudsman.