Spicejet under MRTPC scanner

The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has initiated two cases of unfair trade practice against low-cost carrier Spicejet.

While one case pertains to the carrier's refusal to refund amount of air tickets on cancellation, another is for not adopting a fair method for booking seats at a special price of Rs 99 on its first anniversary.

The notices of enquiry has been issued on the basis of preliminary investigation reports submitted by MRTPC's investigative arm Director General of Investigation and Registration.

Acting on a complaint by a passenger, DGIR in an investigation found that Spicejet refused to refund amount of air ticket on cancellation as it had adopted a practice not to refund the booking amount.

The terms of carriage of the company provided that booking amount was non-refundable.

However, if the ticket is cancelled two hours prior to departure the balance amount subject to cancellation fee is retained in a credit shell up to one year which can be used as payment for future travel.

On the other hand, cancellation within two hours departure or failure to check in for its flight at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure will result in the fare being forfeited, it said.

In the second case, DGIR said Spicejet did not adopt fair method for booking tickets while providing its anniversary offer of Rs 99 a seat through Internet.

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