1. Who is being unfairly charged?

Thousands of consumers across India who book flights through online travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Ixigo, and others are being unfairly charged "convenience fees" — even when their flights are cancelled by the airlines themselves. These customers neither received the service nor requested the cancellation, yet are forced to bear these unnecessary costs. This policy disproportionately affects middle-class travelers, students, and families who rely on budget bookings and expect full refunds for airline-initiated cancellations.

2. Why this matters to all of us?

If this unfair practice continues, travel portals will keep profiting from cancelled services, setting a dangerous precedent that companies can charge for convenience without providing any service. This erodes consumer trust and normalizes unethical business models in India's rapidly growing digital economy. On the other hand, if addressed now, this could lead to stronger consumer rights, transparent refund policies, and fairer treatment of all travelers. It’s about making digital travel truly consumer-first.

3. Why we must act now?

With the surge in domestic as well as international air travel and increasing reliance on online travel platforms, millions of bookings happen every month. As airline cancellations become more frequent due to operational and weather-related issues, this fee injustice affects more people than ever. Now is the time to demand regulatory clarity from the Central Consumer Protection Authority and bring all travel portals under a unified, fair refund framework — where no service means no charge. Let’s fix this loophole before it becomes the norm.